Duluc de Branaire Ducru 2016 is an absolute bargain from one of Bordeaux’s legendary vintages. The nose is immediately appealing with lifted and vibrant fruit notes of cassis, dark red fruit and damson. The nose is enhanced with floral notes, spice, cinnamon, pencil shavings, leather and cigar box. It’s an awesome wine and one that proves that Bordeaux does offer a bit of value for money.

Chateau Branaire-Ducru is a brilliantly consistent 4th growth Chateau based in Saint Julien. The wines are Cabernet Sauvignon dominated and display great freshness and balance along with wonderfully complex fruit which is understated rather than “blockbuster”. It would be fair to say that over the years, the style of the wines has not been altered to align with modern trends or to appeal to certain markets or critics. This is something to be admired, be grateful of and cherished.

The Chateau was purchased by Patrick Maroteaux in 1988 who made his fortune in the sugar business. A guess the purchase was the icing on the cake and a sweet reward for his hard work. Now run by Francois-Xavier, Patrick son, the winery has seen huge investment over the past 30 years which has resulted in consistently brilliant wines and ones that, if the Chateau’s were ever to be reclassified, would be ranked higher than its current 4th growth status.

The estates 2nd wine, Duluc, has been a firm favourite here at de Burgh wines for many years. Duluc is made predominantly from the estates younger vines and is aged for 12 months in older barrels. It drinks exceptionally well in its youth, but like the Grand Vin, ages gracefully over 10-15 years.