Bright fruits, slate tannins, peony florals, black tea, tobacco and tons of St Julien finesse. Cabernet dominant in aroamtics and fruit character, a delicious Branaire. 53hl/ha yields. 94 points

The 2023 Branaire-Ducru has turned out beautifully, wafting from the glass with classy aromas of dark berries, plums, pencil shavings and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, cool and layered palate that`s seamless, complete and enveloping, with terrific depth and vibrancy of fruit, refined tannins and a long, suave finish. At 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc and 3.5% Petit Verdot, it`s almost the same blend as the 2022, though at 13.1% alcohol and a pH of 3.63, it`s more classically proportioned. Harvest began on September 12 and dragged on through October 4, parcel by parcel, with the vintage`s healthy yields meaning the team could use their new winery, equipped with 63 smaller tanks, to keep all those components separate. 93-94 points