2008 Ch. Branaire Ducru, St. Julien

Deep purple with exotic spice on the nose, this has fine tannins which coat a plump, concentrated core of black fruits. Creamy with a rewarding long finish, this is a very fine example of typical St Julien with an added precision that lifts it above many of its peers.

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
(Robert Parker - Wine Advocate - Apr 09)