Lovely herb and flower scents on the nose, a signature of the estate with chocolate powder, toast, caramel, cinnamon alongside sour cherries and caramelised red berries. Round, juicy and so alive on the palate, really quite bouncy with lift, excellent acidity and a lot of liquorice spice - all nicely balanced and in its place. I love the lively and joyful start and more serious ending you have here - the two playing with each other giving texture and nuance with a sweet and savoury succulence that is so seductive. A top buy and the bottle that will empty the fastest today - wonderful drinkability!

Already showing some interesting secondary notes of tobacco, earth, black cherry and mocha in the nose, this medium bodied, feminine, fresh, soft textured wine can be enjoyed young, and it has the potential to age as well. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2012&wine=Chateau%20Branaire-Ducru

The 2012 Branaire-Ducru is medium to deep garnet colored. It opens with notes of dried Provence herbs, damp soil, and tapenade over a core of redcurrant jelly and plum preserves. The medium-bodied palate delivers youthful black fruits with a fine-grained texture and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

The 2012 Branaire-Ducru has a rather subdued bouquet compared to its peers and lacks the same joire de vivre as the 2012 Clos du Marquis. The palate is medium-bodied with a light grip on the entry, finely balanced with admirable purity. It suggests that the aromatics might be amidst a dumb phase because there is more brightness towards the finish. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. -- Neal Martin

Deep ruby/purple, with sweet cranberry, mulberry and raspberry/blueberry fruit, this is always a distinctive St.-Julien and the 2012 has managed to avoid any of the hollowness or harsh tannins that can afflict some of the Médocs. It is elegant, well-made and an outstanding effort in this vintage. Drink it over the next 15 or more years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Bay leaf and tobacco notes are backed by a core of damson plum, black cherry and red currant fruit. The bay leaf edge underlines the finish, with a hint of violet and a well-buried iron accent. An elegant expression of St.-Julien. Best from 2017 through 2024. 12,083 cases made. — JM