92-94

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2024 Branaire-Ducru is a super-classic Branaire. Medium in body and gracious, the 2024 is defined by its lifted aromatics and silky, polished tannins. The proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon is especially high in 2024, a sign that the fruit harvested on the later side benefited from better conditions, namely a lack of rain. The 2024 possesses lovely purity and exquisite balance. Floral top notes and a burst of red-toned fruit reappear on the finish to round things out in style. It will be especially fine if élevage softens the contours. This is a fine effort from proprietor Francois-Xavier Maroteau and longtime winemaker Jean-Dominique Videau. Tasted two times. 04/2025

90-92

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2024 Branaire Ducru was cropped at a respectable 41.5 hl/ha between September 20 and October 9. It has a delightful bouquet with pure blackberry, blueberry and light violet scents percolating through with time. There's just a touch of iodine in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, pretty black fruit laced with cassis and touches of white pepper. There is an elegant framework on the finish so that this Saint-Julien slips down the throat with ease, as I am sure it will once in bottle. Whilst this does not reach the heights of the 2022, this is destined to be a very delicious Branaire Ducru. 04/2025

90-92

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2024 Branaire-Ducru offers up a pretty and precise bouquet of cassis, violets and pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, supple and suave, with polished tannins and tangy acids, it's a fine-boned, delicate wine from Branaire that was harvested between 20 September and 9 October. It's a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that attained 12.8% alcohol, and it's being raised in a touch less new oak than usual. 04/2025

93

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez très aromatique, fruité, fin et subtil, évoluant sur le fruit mûr à l'agitation du verre. Délicatement charnu en entrée de bouche, avec de la classe dans la texture et un corps fondant, le vin glisse jusqu'en finale, parfumé, incrachable et très bon. Du bel ouvrage. Goûté trois fois de façon très stable. Assemblage : 72 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 22 % Merlot, 3.5 % Cabernet Franc et 2.5 % Petit Verdot. Degré d'alcool : 12.9°- pH : 3.58. Rendement : 41.5 hl/ha. Production : 184 000 bouteilles. 04/2025

93-94

Zekun Shuai

James Suckling

This crunchy Branaire-Ducru is full of fruit, flowers, citrus, stones and fine herbs. Medium-bodied on the palate, showing fresh berries and cherries. Al dente with a juicy, linear finish. 04/2025