The 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a well-regarded Bordeaux blend from the St Julien sub-region of Bordeaux, France. Produced by Branaire-Ducru, this wine features a composition that includes 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, and a small amount of Cabernet Franc. With an alcohol content of 13.0%, this medium to full-bodied red wine boasts a cork closure and a deep garnet color.
According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, the 2016 Branaire-Ducru is "a real classic" with "deep aromas of dark berries, cassis, loamy soil, pencil shavings and cigar smoke." Reviewer William Kelley awards this wine a score of 94+, noting its "taut, structured profile and a long, penetrating finish," while emphasizing that it will only improve with time.
Wine Spectator's JM offers a glowing review, scoring the wine at 96 points. JM highlights the "pure plum, blueberry, and black currant fruit flavors" and describes the wine as "a very classy red that isn't shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore." This review also suggests an optimal drinking window from 2024 through 2039.
Vinous's Antonio Galloni gives the wine a score of 93+, remarking on its "powerful, dense, and explosive" nature, while Neal Martin from Vinous also scores it at 93, praising its "fragrant bouquet of plush blackberry and graphite aromas."
James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast both rate the 2016 Branaire-Ducru highly at 95 points. Suckling notes that it has "terrific drive and energy" with "elegant, dry tannins beautifully married to the medium body," while Wine Enthusiast emphasizes its "bold, ripe wine" quality with "opulent black fruits and generous tannins."
Decanter's review lauds the wine's "florality and black fruits on the nose" and its "generous and giving" nature, awarding it 95 points. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also scores it at 95, calling it "refined, elegant, [and] fresh."
Jeb Dunnuck awards the wine 92+ points, describing it as "downright pretty" with "complex, layered style" and "terrific tannins." Finally, Lisa Perrotti-Brown from The Wine Independent gives it 94 points, noting its "juicy black fruits" and "mineral lift."
Overall, the 2016 Branaire-Ducru is a well-structured and promising Bordeaux blend that has received consistently high praise from various reviewers. It is recommended to be patient as it will likely develop further complexity with time.