Ch. Branaire Ducru (0.75 L)

WA:This wine is more backward than I would have normally expected, but nevertheless, it is very impressive. The 2010 Branaire-Ducru displays an inky bluish purple color and loads of mulberry, raspberry, black currant, graphite and floral notes in its intense aromatics. Medium to full-bodied , with sensational ripeness, purity, texture and length, the tannins are slightly more prominent than I remember from barrel, but they are sweet and ripe (as opposed to astringent and bitter). This beautiful wine needs 4-6 years of cellaring and should keep 25-30 years. Producer Patrick Maroteaux continues to fine-tune and turn out a succession of brilliant wines from this Chateau, which sits across the famous M¿ªdoc Route du Vin from Beychevelle.