Château Branaire-Ducru 2006, Grand Cru Classé (750 ml)

94 poena - Wine Spectator

U vlasništvu porodice Maroteaux, Chateau se vodi tzv. „3-F pravilom“, prema kojem vina uvijek moraju pokazivati finesu, voćnost i svježinu. Iako imanje proizvodi vino još od 1680-ih, pravi ugled stiče nakon klasifikacije iz 1855. godine. Vinograd se prostire na 59 hektara, smještenih na šljunkovitim brežuljcima apelacije Saint-Julien. Prosječna starost čokota održava se na 35 godina, jer se svake godine obnavlja po dva do tri hektara.

Berba iz 2006. godine ovog vina je izuzetno sofisticirana i elegantna, sa izvanrednom preciznošću i profinjenošću. Istovremeno je i zavodljivo, na suptilan i prigušen način. Bogat, začinjen miris voćnog kolača vodi u svježe, cvjetne, kremaste note crvenog i crnog voća, uz dašak bibera. Tanini snažno dolaze do izražaja u završnici, praćeni novim talasom koncentrisanih nota tamne trešnje.

Vino će svoj vrhunac dostići do kraja 2028. godine, nakon čega će polako početi da gubi intenzitet... svakako je vino koje treba kupiti i uživati u njemu već sada.

94 points - Wine Spectator

Owned by the Maroteaux family, the Chateau follows what family refers to as the "3-F Rule" whereby the wines must always show finesse, fruit and freshness.   While the property has been making wine since the 1680s, its real acclaim began after the classification of 1855.  The vineyard is comprised of 59 hectares and is located on the gravelly hills of the Saint-Julien appellation. The average age of the vines is always kept at 35 years, as each year two or three hectares are renewed.  

The 2006 vintage of this wine is wonderfully sophisticated and stylish, with great precision and elegance. It is sexy, too, in its own smouldering, restrained way.  A rich, spicy fruitcake nose is followed by fresh, floral, creamy red and black fruit with a dash of pepper.  The tannins come thundering at the finish, accompanied by another wave of concentrated dark cherry fruit.  This wine will be at its peak until the end of 2028 and then will start to fade ... it's definitely one to buy and enjoy now.