The 2010 Branaire-Ducru Bordeaux Blend from the St. Julien sub-region of Bordeaux, France, is a wine that garners high praise from experts for its elegance and potential for aging. With a composition primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine presents a compelling bouquet and flavor profile.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded this wine 95 points, highlighting its "soft, ripe, smooth tannins" and "sweet, fresh, dark red fruits," noting that while it is still somewhat tight, it promises more complexity with a few additional years of aging. Wine Enthusiast also rated it 95, describing it as a "rich, full wine" that shows the château "at the top of its form" with a fine balance of fruit and acidity.
Other reviewers echo these sentiments of balance and potential. Wine Spectator praised its "polished and stylish" character, awarding it 94 points, and noting its "velvety feel" and "gorgeous, black tea-infused finish." James Suckling also gave it a 94, describing it as a "layered young red" with "velvety and chewy tannins," recommending it for consumption after 2017.
Decanter's review, giving it another 95 points, highlights the wine's "ripe fruit, pink flowers and cinnamon spice nuances" with a "great combination of density and precision." They advise that it is delicious now but suggest a good airing before drinking. Jeb Dunnuck lauds its "remarkable purity and precision," suggesting further aging to unleash its full potential.
Overall, the 2010 Branaire-Ducru is characterized by its balance of structure and elegance, with a consensus among reviewers that it will continue to develop beautifully over the coming years.