The Producer
Château Branaire-Ducru has its origins in 1680, when Jean-Baptiste Braneyre acquired part of the Beychevelle estate, captivated by the potential of its gravel terroirs. His descendants, the Du Luc family, built the château in 1824, before the property passed to Gustave Ducru. Classified as a Fourth Grand Cru Classé in 1855, the estate entered a new phase in 1988 with its acquisition by Patrick Maroteaux. Since 2017, his son François-Xavier Maroteaux has continued this family story at the head of the property.
Located in Saint-Julien, in the heart of the Médoc, the vineyard spans 60 hectares and brings together about fifteen micro-terroirs. The vines, averaging 35 years old, grow on gravel-siliceous alluvial soils from the Quaternary, among the hottest terroirs in the region, while the Merlot also finds its expression on clay beds. The grape variety is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), complemented by Merlot (28%), Petit Verdot (4%), and Cabernet Franc (3%).
Today, Branaire-Ducru continues a quest for precision, based on parcel vinification and respect for the diversity of its terroirs. The harvest is done by hand and, since the 2022 vintage, the estate has a new 100% gravity winery with suspended tanks, allowing for the separate vinification of different qualities of grapes. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for at least eighteen months. Through its vintages, the estate claims a true "House Signature," based on fruit, freshness, and elegance, combined with depth and refinement.
The Wine
Tasting
The color is deep. The rich and expressive nose blends dark fruits and floral notes of great finesse. The palate is dense, with beautiful liveliness, and the tannins that support it are of great precision. The finish is long, with superb purity. 2011 appears as a very serious wine with great aging potential. It showcases all the finesse that fits well within the Branaire-Ducru style.
Scores and Notes
95
Vinous
92
Wine Advocate
17/20
La RVF
92
James Suckling