2017 Château Branaire-Ducru, 4ème Cru Classé Saint-Julien

Branaire-Ducru consistently offers superb value amongst Saint-Julien’s most famous châteaux, and 2017 is no exception. Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 65% of the blend here, with 25% Merlot, 6.5% Petit Verdot and 4.5% Cabernet Franc. The wine is immediately fleshy and round to taste. “You don’t feel the tannins,” says wine-maker Jean-Dominique Videau, “and the acidity helps build the length of flavour.” This wine has its own, seductive personality, with exceptionally fragrant, expressive aromas, dense fruitiness, and perfectly balanced, long aftertaste (for drinking 2024-2038+).