Chateau Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2016 750ml

Château Branaire-Ducru is a Fourth Growth in the 1855 Classification, in Saint-Julien on Bordeaux's Left Bank. Patrick Maroteaux is president and co-owner, and Jean-Dominique Videau has made the blends since 2002. This is the château's grand vin.

The 2016 is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc, hand-harvested between September 28 and October 19 and sorted on tables. It is aged at least 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% of them renewed each year. It's 13.5% alcohol.

The château describes very deep colour, a layered nose of well-ripened fruit with freshness, and a fleshy palate with elegant, dense tannins and a long, precise finish. Wine Spectator notes pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit.

Against Château Brane-Cantenac 2018, Branaire-Ducru 2016 has two more years in bottle and costs less; for a classed-growth Saint-Julien nearing its window, choose Branaire-Ducru.

Wine Spectator gives a drinking window of 2024 to 2039, and Wine Advocate's William Kelley 2026 to 2060. Decant it and serve with roast lamb or ribeye.

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