Description

Branaire's First wine is mainly composed of Cabernet-Sauvignon (about 70%) completed by Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Rich, fragrant and deep, these wines represent the quintessence of Saint-Julien's style. This wine is elegant and straight with melting tannins. Château Branaire, known as Branaire-Ducru, used to be a parcel belonging to the vast Château Beychevelle. Classed as a fourth growth in 1855, it has belonged to a French family since 1988 and is now run by François-Xavier Maroteaux. With an average age of 35, the vineyards span 60 hectares and are home to vines of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), Merlot (28%), Petit Verdot (5%), and Cabernet franc (4%). The harvests are carried out by hand so that the grapes can be thoroughly sorted. The wine from this estate is characterised by its aromatic richness and supple profile. Pumping of the fruit and the wine is avoided to preserve the integrity of the grapes. For a few years now, this cru has been improving in quality, as is proven by the creation of a second wine and by the limiting of yields.