Community Tasting Note

Friday, December 15, 2023 - Haven't had one of these in 5 years but spurred on by other CT'ers here this past week. Decanted 1 hour but really needs 2 to drink its best. This is dark red and rich fruit and belies its 14 years of age. Punches younger than you think it would. It's still drinking quite strong and shows no evidence of slowing down. Balance is the key here, with all elements. It's just beautiful........

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Comment posted by macaujames:

12/16/2023 12:50:00 AM - A lovely wine the Branaire isn't it, quite masculine for a St Julien but fantastic! I'm trying the Langoa Barton 2016 and its an exciting 94/95 at under 60 Euros and only 13%ABV. We are St-Juliened!
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

12/16/2023 3:02:00 AM - James, you are correct! Most years and with more age Branaire can come across as a more feminine wine but the strength of this fruit, right now is much more masculine. No real hint of anything tertiary showing up yet.....and it is so well balanced in all respects. If I hadn't been drinking some powerful Napa reds last night I probably would have rated it a point or two higher. I paid $82 US for these '09s back around '17. Up to $137 now here in the States.

Regarding the Langoa Barton, I had an '09 of that one about 9 months ago and it was a 93 for me then and cost $80US. It def drank older than this '09 Branaire but then again it was off a retail shelf at room temp for who knows how many of its years? I hope your '16 was great for you! Cheers!
Comment posted by macaujames:

12/16/2023 4:41:00 AM - Cheers to you 2 Mark!
Comment posted by Juliansi:

12/17/2023 12:05:00 AM - Mark1NPT.. I had this on our first of many Christmas meals this month too, this Branaire-Ducru 09 was the 2nd of six Bordeauxs served!

Small world.. cheers from Malaysia!
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

12/17/2023 7:16:00 AM - Julian, it's amazing how many of the same wines we drink, while scattered across the globe! Merry Christmas to you and yours from us here in Florida!
Comment posted by Juliansi:

12/17/2023 4:34:00 PM - 10,300 miles apart.. and the same wine with the same vintage in the same week.

Happy Christmas and all the best this New Year, Mark1NPT!!!
Comment posted by GCC62:

12/19/2023 4:36:00 AM - Thanks for the comment, you convinced me to open soon my first bottle of twelve.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

12/19/2023 6:30:00 AM - With a full case, you should def open one now so you don't miss this window. You will have a lot of fun following this one over the next 10-20 years.
Comment posted by Juliansi:

12/19/2023 6:44:00 AM - Just posted my tasting notes of this wine from last Friday's dinner. Have a good day, Mark1NPT
Comment posted by macaujames:

12/19/2023 11:51:00 AM - Happy Christmas and a Very Merry New Year, too Mark ! You are completely
correct we are all united by fantastic taste despite the millions of airmiles between us!