Tasting Notes 3,734 found

Perhaps an imbibed decision to open this after a bottle of Morey-Saint-Denis at dinner, but after reading about the vinification changes Château Branaire-Ducru have undergone since the 1990s, I was eager to try a bottle from that period. Enjoying many of the bottles I've tried from the 1995 vintage, it was a no-brainer when I saw this bottle for sale and that confidence was rewarded after a 30 minute decant last night. The 1995 Château Branaire-Ducru opened up wonderfully, drinking younger than anticipated and boasting a lot of power over the course of two hours. The nose medlied lots of classic Bordeaux qualities as blackcurrants, cigar box, pencil shavings and a hint of smoke all came together. The fruit was singing as the upfront was packed with blackberries and even a hint of rhubarb before the mid-palate moved into a backbone of cedar wood, licorice and a hint of earthiness. The power of this bottle was well represented in the finish as notes of crème de cassis and meatiness came across an elongated finish that boasted racy acidity. (54 views)

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Rather a remarkable amount of fine (and ultra fine) sediment for a 375 bottle. Decently pleasant and proper claret. Probably aging more favorably in 750s. (100 views)

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Pop n Poured from a 375ml and consumed over a 90 minute period. More similar to my most recent 2021 note. This might be fading a bit. Fully mature, silky, smooth, and resolved tannin. True to its St Julien roots. Drink up! (329 views)

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What a great wine. Bordeaux in its truest form. Drunk from a magnum bottle, therefore perhaps a little bonus. (459 views)

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Medium ruby with slight brickish tinge. Bright bouquet, with aromas of bell pepper, blackberry, cassis, iron, plum, stone. Plus body, plus tannins, plus acid. Grippy yet supple tannins with lengthy finish. Coming from a magnum bottle, still needs more time to develop, but otherwise drinking well. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc. (1088 views)

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Fresh and elegant, with plump sweet darks fruits counterbalanced with a savoury backbone. There were some pleasing grippy tannins and a gentle lingering finish, only marred by a slightly bitter note. A fine wine nonetheless. CHP 91 pts (784 views)

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Nice St. Julien! Black fruit, cherry and a little mint on the nose. Smooth, very easy to drink. My counterpart that evening couldn't get enough of this wine... (165 views)

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My WOTN. You cannot believe this is a 2003. Not a hint of over-ripeness--just pure elegance. Earthy nose that screams Bordeaux. On the palate, I loved the interplay of florals and red fruits. So silky. What a joy.

In prime drinking window.
(657 views)

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So much Brett its hard to to find anything else. Not putting it as flawed since others might like this style but I don't. Fourth bottle from same case and the Brett takes over more and more. (214 views)

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7th of 12, opened an hour then decanted 45 minutes, perfect cork and level - youthful robe, purple rim on first pour, dense and glossy, attractive fruit driven bouquet and palate but decent complexity and length including Branaire's chocolate marker; however after an hour fruit suddenly diminished showing a fairly coarse tannin structure, balance and fruit seemed ok initially so I left confused by this and the marking reflects early impressions with final glass more like 89-90, upside I think, 11+ years? F (17.5). (547 views)

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Beautiful nose on this of dark fruits, charcoal, lead pencil, minerals and hints of incense and some high-toned floral notes as well. This was decanted several hours and followed over 2 nights, and really sang after just an hour or two of air time. This bottle was better than the previous and with 10+ years of aging I can definitely see this going up a couple of points. Everything in balance (if a little oaky at the moment, but that will be absorbed into the fruit in time). Medium-to full bodied. Classy wine. One to stock up on and age a while. Rating: 93+ (1364 views)

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Gorgeous lazer-focused black currant fruit, leather, dried violet, forest floor, beautiful, aristocratic old St. Julien. I’m (109 views)

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Decanted for one hour. Nose of blackberry, currant, graphite, tobacco and cedar. Blackberry, currant, cedar, graphite, anise and tobacco notes are well integrated on the palate. A very long finish with elegant balance. Medium to full bodied. Drinking beautifully. Served with reverse seared filet mignon and hollandaise. (651 views)

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🐽 a bit austere on opening, floral, dark fruit.
👅 Soft, meaty, salty, black and purple fruit, Chinese preserved plum, an acidic zing on the finish, tannins are balanced and fit the wine perfectly now. Medium concentration, maybe a bit more.

Good. Worth about $65? Debatable but wouldn't be mad if I paid it. (169 views)

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1-hour decant; light aromas of red fruit, raspberry and a chocolate note; lovely balance, slightly elevated acidity, closing with a hard-to-define but lengthy finish; very pleasing - drink up. (507 views)

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