Ming L

9.3

Expressive nose of blackcurrant and dark cherry with hints of dried fruit nuances, along with cedar, graphite, and dried herbs. The palate is dense and layered, and becomes quite seamless after about 2 hours - nice balance of acidity, fruit concentration and tannic grip.

In the early stage of maturity. Long ascent awaits. — 3 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Splendid 2nd Brand of a 4th Growth Chateau Branaire-Duceu from the left bank of Bordeaux.
All vines from this vinyard are +35 years old in average and entirely hand-harvested. It showcases a wine enough refinement and balance. Medley of red fruit and a bit earthly. This wine screams food pairing. Tannins are packed and solid, quite complex. Long and lingering finish. — 2 years ago

Yuriy Roman

9.8

Dinner at Christophe Coperet's house. He opened some delicious bottles:
Champagne Tarlant - la matinale - 2003
Sauternes - Château Yquem - 1981 (this was ridiculously good)
St Julien - Château Branaire Ducru - 2008
St Julien - Château Talbot - 1998
St Julien - Château Beychevelle - 1988
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "La Combe d'Orveau" - Domaine Henri Perrot Minot - 1998 (my favorite of the list)
Pouilly Fuisse - Domaine Corsin - 1998. — 11 years ago

Ming L

9.3

I opened this 2015 after the 16’ Branaire-Ducru.

The fruits are riper and slightly jammy with plum, blueberry, and blackcurrant, but it’s the savory expression that really sets it apart. Rich palate without excessive weight with lively acidity and fresh herbal lift. Kong savory finishes. Beautiful Bordeaux blend with Napa mountain fruits. — 3 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1998 vintage. Cork a little dry near the bottom so called out the Durand for a rescue. Less meniscus than expected. Dusty, earthy nose. Medium body. Heaps of allspice/sandalwood, prunes and baking chocolate hovering about in the medicinal/oily nose and (mostly) in the flavor profile. Ridiculously reminiscent of an aged (‘80’s-‘90’s) Branaire-Ducru St. Julien BDX. So much so that, if blind tasting, that is the guess. This is gliding along. No highs or lows to navigate currently. Not a showstopper by any means but one helluva ringer in a blind tasting. Some bretty influences here and there but nothing warranting a red card/dq. Picked up slightly more body and a noticeable cinnamon/clove note on the finish after being open for an hour. Also...some muddiness along with a sudden frontal-palate richness (at the 1.5 hours open mark) reminiscent of Petit Verdot involvement/influence. WTF?!?! Bring it! 4.21.24. — 3 years ago

Hiroshi Tominaga

9.0

Present. Full body and should have been great but showed its age. — 3 months ago

Charles Treister

9.5

Delicate and soft. — 9 months ago

Casey Stringer

9.0

Nice restaurant purchase. Served a bit warm. Nice wine. Classic BDX profile from a good year. — 10 years ago