Château Branaire-Ducru 2018 – Saint-Julien, Grand Cru Classé 

The nose is fruity, elegant, racy and offers a beautiful concentration (full of finesse), a certain deepness as well as complexity and a racy/controlled power. This wine should be decanted. It reveals notes of pulpy cassis, strawberry, pulpy wild raspberry and small notes of violet associated with touches of fresh cardamom, racy gravels (sense of the place), discreet hints of liquorice, a subtle hint of fresh vanilla pod, Madagascar pepper, sweet spices and an imperceptible hint of mild tobacco. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers juiciness, a beautiful delicacy of the grain, gourmandize, an acidulous frame, freshness, fullness as well as a small suavity, a small fat, a fine unctuosity, power (full of delicacy/control), precision and a beautiful guideline (full of finesse). On the palate this wine expresses notes of bright cassis, pulpy/juicy blackberry and small notes of juicy/bright raspberry associated with touches of bright redcurrant, lily, cornflower, liquorice as well as hints of dark chocolate, caramelization, toasted and a subtle hint of toasted cardamom. Good length. Tannins are precise, elegant and finely soft. A beautiful gourmandize and suavity in the finish/persistence.