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Branaire Ducru 2005

St Julien, Fourth Growth

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Units Size Case size GBP Price: Quantities Buy
6 75cl Bottle Case 6 £370 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

As usual, the 2005 Branaire-Ducru is one of the more distinctive wines of St.-Julien. Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has turned out another classic. While not as opulent or fleshy as the 2003, and it remains to be seen if it will eclipse the 2000, the 2005 is a big, structured, intensely rich effort with raspberry, blueberry, and spring flower garden characteristics, stunning purity, full-bodied power, and good underlying acidity as well as harmony. The hard tannins suggest 8-9 years of cellaring will be beneficial; it should last for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 30 April 2008

Proprietor Patrick Maroteaux has been doing everything right since the late nineties, and, along with the monumental 2003 and 2000, the 2005 is one of his crowning achievements. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a sumptuous nose of raspberry liqueur interwoven with blueberries, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings, and spring flowers. A big, structured St.-Julien revealing layers of fruit and glycerin, fabulous purity, and full-bodied power and richness, it will be long-lived, but is more backward than either the 2003 or 2000. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030+.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2030 30 April 2007

Branaire, which has been ratcheting up the quality level over the last 5-6 years, made such a great 2003, I am hesitant to suggest the 2005 is as good, or even better. It will undoubtedly come down to consumer’s personal preference, with the 2003 more exotic and flamboyant, and the 2005 more structured or "classic". In any event, the 2005 is one of the top Branaires ever made. Its inky/ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of spring flowers interwoven with black cherries, cranberries, cassis, plums, and hints of forest floor, wet rocks, and new oak. With wonderful purity, full body, terrific fruit intensity, a beautiful, expansive texture, and a stunning 45-50-second finish, it should be at its peak between 2011-2030

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006

Relatively pale crimson. Frank, direct, simple Cabernet aromas. Nice limpid texture. Good dry oak. Very relaxed and at ease. Lovely silkiness on the front and marked dryness on the finish. Absolutely not forced. Neat finish.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, - Maturity: 2016-2022 10 April 2006

Very pretty flowers, berry and cherry on the nose, with just a hint of currant. Full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a medium finish. Lots of fruit and focused character. We will see if it equals the 2003.

Score: 92 - 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

This well situated Classed Growth has produced very impressive wines recently with the 2000 and 2003 cases in point. The 2005 is cast from the same successful mould with a very focused, Medocain nose. On the palate there is lovely St Julien typicity with notes of lead pencil and pure cassis. The texture is soft with very good fruit density with a long, elegant finish. Light on its feet and very well done.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2006