Introducing the 2009 Branaire-Ducru, a captivating Bordeaux Blend hailing from the renowned St Julien region of Bordeaux, France. This exceptional red wine showcases a medium to deep garnet color that entices the eye with its alluring hue.
On the nose, the 2009 Branaire-Ducru reveals compelling aromas of warm cassis, licorice, baked plums, and hoisin, accompanied by hints of sautéed herbs and pencil lead. The bouquet is both youthful and enticing, promising a remarkable tasting experience.
Upon the first sip, this wine proves to be medium to full-bodied, generously presenting a core of black fruits. The firm and grainy structure of the tannins creates a pleasing texture on the palate, while the bags of freshness bring vibrancy to every sip. The finish is long, leaving a lasting impression with its great purity.
Renowned wine critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown, from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, awards the 2009 Branaire-Ducru an impressive score of 94+. She praises its generous fruit core, firm structure, and bags of freshness. James Suckling, from jamessuckling.com, also acknowledges the wine's appeal, noting the abundance of black fruits and bitter chocolate character. However, he advises that the wine still needs some time to fully resolve and suggests either enjoying it now with hearty food or holding onto it until 2022.
Alex Shaw, from JJ Buckley, describes the 2009 Branaire-Ducru as a sweet and seductive wine with a nose of raspberry, rainier cherry, mint, and forest floor. The palate is coated with big, firm tannins that carry the fruit along, leading to a bold and satisfying finish. Wine Spectator commends the wine's ripe, chewy, and muscular style, showcasing good cut and finesse.
Wine Enthusiast awards the 2009 Branaire-Ducru a remarkable score of 95, praising its supple nature, richness, and density. Vinous also gives it a score of 93, highlighting its conservative bouquet with cedar and graphite scented black fruit, as well as its well-balanced and fresh palate.
Decanter describes this wine as having an inviting nose of chocolate powder and dark fruits, with soft florals and medicinal herbs coming into play after a few minutes. It commends the wine's sleekness, directness, and open-up quality. Jeb Dunnuck, from jebdunnuck.com, considers the 2009 Branaire-Ducru a killer wine, noting its huge nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and forest floor. He calls it a blockbuster with no hard edges and a fantastic finish.
Jeff Leve, from TheWineCellarInsider.com, emphasizes the elegance, refinement, and freshness of this wine. He applauds its juicy sweet and ripe red fruits, complemented by a cocoa accent, and praises the long, polished, and silky finish. Leve recommends waiting at least 3-5 years for the wine to fully develop and shine.
In conclusion, the 2009 Branaire-Ducru is a wine of exceptional quality and character, showcasing the best that St Julien has to offer. Its captivating aromas, generous fruit core, firm structure, and long, pure finish make it a standout choice for wine enthusiasts and collectors alike. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this Bordeaux Blend is sure to leave a lasting impression.