Chateau Branaire Ducru   Chateau Branaire Ducru

1990 Chateau Branaire Ducru

By Chateau Branaire Ducru

1990 Chateau Branaire Ducru, St-Julien, Bordeaux, France

In the storied landscape of Bordeaux, 1990 remains an extraordinary vintage for myriad esteemed labels. Among these illustrious names, the 1990 Chateau Branaire Ducru from Chateau Branaire Ducru carves an articulate testament to the exquisite potential of the St-Julien terroir. A year celebrated for its consistent clime, it bestowed upon the carefully cultivated vines of Chateau Branaire Ducru a harmonious sequence of warmth and light, propelling the fruit to its sumptuous zenith.

 

A Quintessential St-Julien Elegance

Guided by the adroit hands of Patrick Maroteaux since 1988, Chateau Branaire Ducru's approach to winemaking is suffused with both respect for tradition and forward-thinking. The result in 1990: a classic St-Julien with a compelling twist. The wine exudes a complex bouquet with entrancing aromas of cassis, smoked earth and cedar—echoes of the Graves present in the soil composition—intertwined with subtler, sweeter notes of ripe plums and vanilla, a hallmark of their prudent barrel-aging process.

 

Crafting a Legacy

In the glass, one finds a poised equilibrium between assertiveness and elegance—a coveted hallmark of Bordeaux blends. The 1990 Chateau Branaire Ducru possesses a rich tapestry of flavours anchored by robust tannins which have mellowed beatifically over time. On the palate, these sublime complexities unfold in an elongated finish that resonates with collectors and connoisseurs alike. Such is the pedigree of this vintage that it continues to thrive as an alluring candidate for long-term cellaring—a beacon for wine investment.

Savouring the 1990 Chateau Branaire Ducru from Chateau Branaire Ducru enkindles a rhapsody of sensory delights. It's a document from a time when Mother Nature conspired with human artisanship to create a masterwork now cradled in bottles—evincing that fine wine is not merely crafted but also ensconced within its era. Each sip invites reflection upon the exceptional vintage conditions that presided over St-Julien in 1990, making it laudably singular in investment portfolios and at soirées dedicated to the veneration of vinous treasures.

Market price (CAD)

$1,660.00

12x75cl

Highest score

89

POP score

111.11

Scores and tasting notes

89

Notes of menthol, raspberries, chocolate, crushed rock, and a notion of flowers emerge from this medium-bodied 1990. While neither as concentrated nor ageworthy as most Branaires made in the 21st century, it is an attractive, soft, elegant wine that should drink well for 5-6 years. Release price: ($320.00/case)

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2009

Vintage performance