Château Branaire-Ducru 4. Cru årgang 2016 fra Saint Julien i Bordeaux.

Branaire-Ducru 2016 shows a deep colour, the nose of ripe fruits is both complex and expressive, combining richness and precision with an underlying freshness. The palate is beautifully balanced, the attack is voluptuous and shows a high concentration of extremely fine tannins. Excellent aromatic persistence. The vintage combines exceptional density with remarkable finesse. It is evident that the 2016 will join the ranks of this estate’s finest vintages.

James Suckling 95-96/100 (april 2017): "This is clearly the best wine I have tasted from Branaire-Ducru. Exquisite depth and richness are on offer, yet this is always framed and focused. Layers of fruit and tannins. So deep and long. Incredible quality".

Decanter 94/100 (april 2017): "Always a supremely elegant, measured take on St-Julien that delivers in spades in 2016. Plush damson fruit comes through with just the right level of extraction. Beautifully rich, ripe fruit is joined by touches of oak at exactly the right moment. An exceptional showing from Branaire that rises above its 2015".

Robert Parker Wine Advokate/Neal Martin 92-94/100 (april 2017): "The nose is quite intense with black fruit infused with pencil shaving and a touch of tobacco, unashamedly classic in style, a little distant compared to some other Saint Juliens but undeniably well defined and full of character. The palate is structured and masculine, exerting a firm grip in the mouth, spicier than its peers with cracked black pepper complementing the black fruit, tobacco and smoke towards the structured finish. There is great length here, very persistent in the mouth, a little "rougher" in texture than others, but that will be smoothed out during élevage and in bottle. Give this Branaire-Ducru five or six years in bottle because it has great potential, one of the best produced at the estate in recent years".

La Revue du Vin de France 17,5-18,5/20 (april 2017): "Jugés exceptionnels, les petits verdots ont été intégrés au grand vin, ils représentent 6% et donnent de la structure à ce vin imposant, mais aussi éclatant. Riche et à la fois précis en bouche, avec une finale qui déroule".

Jancis Robinson 17/20(april 2017): "Juicy, savoury nose. Fresh and fine-boned. Could only be Bordeaux-tant mieux! Silky texture with some energy".