Branaire Ducru 2008

A stunning success for the vintage, this enticing St.-Julien reveals notes of lead pencil shavings, sweet raspberries and black currants and a subtle touch of oak. Elegant, restrained yet authoritative and impressively intense, it is a medium to full-bodied, lightly tannic effort will be even better with 1-2 years of bottle age and will keep for 15-20 years.

Sweet black raspberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with hints of acacia flowers and crushed rocks always provide Branaire with a distinctive perfume. In the mouth, there is impressive purity, a powerful yet elegant style, noticeable but sweet tannin, and nicely integrated acidity. The wood component is not apparent given the density and richness of the fruit. The 2008 should come close to rivaling the 2005, 2003, and 2000. Consume it over the next 20+ years.

The 2008 Branaire Ducru has a clean and fresh bouquet with mulberry, blackcurrant pastilles, and subtle hints of eucalyptus that are all detailed and focused, if missing the complexity of more recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with thickset tannin, quite dense black fruit with a touch of cassis. I like the atypical density of this 2008 although I would like more panache and personality to shine through. 2018 - 2035

Like the Beychevelle '08, this is tight on the nose, a touch of dried leaves and tobacco. Quite light compared to other vintages. The palate has a sharp, slightly angular entry, firm tannins; this needs to mellow out during élevage. A little black pepper, sharp acidity, good weight on the tannic finish. Possibly the dark horse as it should improve. Tasted April 2009

Currants and blackberries, with hints of black licorice. Medium- to full-bodied, with firm tannins and lots of pretty fruit. Love the nose. Tight and structured, but refined

Quite brutal and vegetal on the nose. Great density and extreme youth. Just a hint of oak. Thick and pretty earthbound at the moment with marked acidity.