Duluc de Branaire Ducru 2018

Produced by Château Branaire-Ducru, Duluc is the second wine of one of Saint-Julien's most refined and consistent Fourth Growth estates. Classified as a Quatrième Grand Cru Classé in the historic 1855 Classification, the château entered a new era when Patrick Maroteaux acquired the property in 1988, investing extensively in both the vineyards and winery while restoring Branaire-Ducru to the forefront of Bordeaux. Today, his son François-Xavier Maroteaux continues this vision, combining meticulous vineyard management with sustainable practices to craft wines of precision and elegance. Sourced from selected parcels across the estate, including younger vines growing on the deep Günz gravel soils of Saint-Julien, Duluc is produced with the same attention to detail as the Grand Vin, offering an authentic expression of the château's signature style.

The 2018 vintage is a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before ageing for around 12 months in French oak barrels, the wine balances the generosity of the exceptional 2018 vintage with the freshness and refinement that define Branaire-Ducru. Aromas of blackcurrant, cassis and ripe black cherry are layered with notes of cedar, graphite, violets, cigar box and subtle baking spice. The palate is supple and beautifully structured, with polished tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, savoury finish that reflects the classic elegance of Saint-Julien. Approachable in its youth yet possessing the balance to develop gracefully over the coming decade, Duluc offers a superb introduction to one of Bordeaux's benchmark classed growths.