Taking advantage of the delicious fruit of 2006 this Branaire-Ducru shows a charming side. It brings out ripe spicy black plums and black cherry spice to go with the lively fresh tannins. That's not to say that there isn't structure but today it is the fruit that dominates.

By no means comparable to their sensational 2005 or 2003 but still an outstanding wine this singular St.-Julien always possesses notes of spring flowers boysenberries black currants and graphite. The complex aromatics are followed by a medium-bodied classic Bordeaux displaying a deep ruby/purple color as well as moderately high tannin. It needs 3-5 years of bottle age and should last for two decades or more.