Branaire Ducru 2009

Jeb Dunnuck, awarding 96 points, describes the 2009 Branaire-Ducru as a standout wine from this vintage, now at its peak at age 10. Composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it retains its vibrant ruby/purple hue. It offers a rich bouquet of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and a hint of forest floor. It is full-bodied, expansive, and layered on the palate, with a pleasing evolution as it breathes in the glass. The wine's sweet tannins, absence of harsh edges, and powerful finish make it a true blockbuster. (6/2019)

The 2009 Branaire-Ducru also received a high score of 96 points from Wine Advocate, who hailed it as the epitome of high culture in the world of wine. This dense purple wine is characterized by its distinct floral and pencil shavings notes, and its broad aromatics are intense and captivating.

95 points were given by Wine Enthusiast, who wrote that the bottle is supple and has great richness and density. It is all complete, a pleasure, powerful, yet also with sweet opulent fruits layered with dark tannins. For long-term ageing. *Cellar Selection* (RV)  (2/2012)

James Suckling scored 94 points and commended lots of comments. Well,s with some bitter chocolate character, give this character. However, it's a seriously tannic wine that needs time to resolve. Drink now with hearty food or hold.  (3/2019)

Decanter, awarding 93 points, notes that the tannins in St-Julien, where the 2009 Branaire-Ducru is produced, take notably longer to open up than in Margaux or on the right bank, even in the generous 2009 vintage. This wine, still relatively well-knitted together and subdued on the nose, opens up to reveal one of the fresher, balanced styles of 2009 in this lineup. It offers subtle dark chocolate and cedar scents, leading to a palate of cassis fruits with a lovely swirl of tobacco on the finish. (JA)  (2/2019)

Vinous awarded 93 points, saying the 2009 Branaire-Ducru has a crisp and delineated bouquet with dense black fruit, soot, cedar and light tertiary aromas, still quite backward but nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh acidity that cuts through the dusky black fruit laced with white pepper and soy, fanning gently towards the finish that exerts an insisted grip. This is a straight down-the-line great Saint-Julien. (NM)  (3/2019)

93 points Wine Spectator wrote on the lack of finesse. Wine Spectator wrote about Branaie 2009 as a ripe, chewy, muscular style, with a good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. (JM)  (3/2012)