Robert Parker's Wine Advocate : It has a tightly wound bouquet with black cherries and orange peel aromas, focused if not quite as complex as, say, Château Beychevelle. The palate is medium-bodied, sinewy in the mouth with tensile tannins. This is a wine that seems to be making a huge effort in this vintage, but I would like to see more finesse manifested on the finish by the time it is in bottle. You know, I think that will develop. That 12 to 13% vin de presse lends this Branaire-Ducru impressive sustain on the finish and I suspect that it will coalesce throughout the barrel aging in two-thirds new oak
James Suckling : This really builds on the palate with round and velvety tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Layered and complex. Shows real potential.
Wine Spectator : Focused and a touch austere for now, with a charcoal edge to the core of black currant and steeped fig fruit. Tobacco and bramble notes check in on the finish, and there’s solid acidity in reserve. Well-built and should evolve nicely
Blend : 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
