The 2022 Branaire-Ducru is a remarkable Bordeaux blend that showcases the excellence of the Saint-Julien estate. With its deep, vibrant red color and elegant label, this wine is nothing short of captivating.
As you pour a glass of this exquisite wine, you are immediately greeted by an intoxicating aroma of violets, blackberries, sweet cassis, licorice, and pencil shavings. These delightful scents create a symphony of fragrance that entices your senses and prepares you for the magnificent experience that lies ahead.
Upon taking your first sip, you are met with a medium to full-bodied palate that is layered and multidimensional. The wine's succulent and sapid nature is beautifully complemented by its supple tannins, creating a velvety texture that dances on your tongue. The flavors of dark, red fruits, spice, mocha, nutmeg, vanilla, and black cherries unfold with each sip, showcasing the wine's complexity and depth.
The finish of the 2022 Branaire-Ducru is long and mouthwatering, leaving you craving another sip. It is on the finish that the wine's purity of fruit and concentration truly shine, providing an experience that is unparalleled. The new gravity-flow winery at the estate has allowed for a more precise handling of the fruit, resulting in a wine of exceptional quality.
Renowned wine critics have unanimously praised the 2022 Branaire-Ducru. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive score of 97 points, describing it as a "brilliant wine" and the finest young vintage from the estate. James Suckling also awarded it 97 points, highlighting the wine's fine and intense tannins, focused fruit, and long finish. Jeff Leve gave it a score of 98 points, calling it the best vintage of Branaire Ducru ever produced. Other esteemed critics, including Jeb Dunnuck, Jane Anson, Vinous, and Decanter, have all given it scores of 97 points or higher, praising its balance, concentration, and overall quality.
The 2022 Branaire-Ducru is a wine that demands attention and deserves a place in any discerning collector's cellar. With its exceptional complexity, elegance, and longevity, this wine is a true gem of the Bordeaux region.