2006 Chateau Branaire Ducru
By Chateau Branaire Ducru
2006 Chateau Branaire Ducru, St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
In the pantheon of Bordeaux vintages, the 2006 Chateau Branaire Ducru from Chateau Branaire Ducru holds a particular regard amongst fine wine aficionados. A vintage encapsulating the nuanced flair of St-Julien's terroir, it resonates with a complex harmony that intrigues both palate and intellect.
A Year of Nuance: The 2006 Vintage Defined
While the 2006 vintage across Bordeaux was somewhat eclipsed by its illustrious predecessor, it has nonetheless matured into a year of classicism and character. The wines from St-Julien have demonstrated a charming dexterity in balancing tannic structure with fruit vibrancy, a dance elegantly performed by the 2006 Branaire Ducru. This vintage offers investors not only the luxury of an earlier drinking window but also the longevity owed to its meticulous vinification and maturation.
Bespoke Craftsmanship Meets Climatic Tenacity
The 2006 harvest was a delicate convergence of winemaker’s nous and nature’s whim. Following a warm September, the cooler evenings swept in, providing prime conditions for the grapes to achieve ripeness whilst retaining crucial freshness. The resultant wine conveys this temperate fineness—an intertwining of dark fruits with herbal hints and a subtle minerality that underpins the profile. It is reflective of its time; a snapshot where season's mettle was belied by winemaking astuteness.
Particularly noteworthy in this vintage is its more immediate accessibility—a boon for both investors and connoisseurs eager to appreciate the intricacies without the decadal wait that Bordeaux often imposes. Yet, fear not for its aging potential; this is still wholeheartedly a child of St-Julien with stamina to develop and dazzle for years onwards.
The elements conspired to give us a 2006 Chateau Branaire Ducru that sits in esteemed company, inviting a timely reappraisal by those who may have overlooked it upon release. In a landscape where secure investments are prized almost as much as the wine itself, this vintage stands out as one meriting recognition. It is an asset embodying sophistication; it enriches portfolio and palate alike.
Market price (GBP)
£520.00
12x75cl
Highest score
88
POP score
65
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London.The 2006 Château Branaire-Ducru has a lifted forest floor, minty bouquet that needs to show more fruit intensity. It just lacks a little conviction. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin, a little rustic compared to its peers with a grainy, quite savory finish that needs more depth. This is drinking perfectly now and I would not leave it more than several years. Tasted January 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 May 2016