Duluc de Branaire-Ducru – Saint-Julien Second Wine
A refined and vibrant Second Wine from one of Saint-Julien’s great classified estates.
Château Branaire-Ducru, a Grand Cru Classé since 1855, is one of the benchmark names of the Saint-Julien appellation. Now owned by François-Xavier Maroteaux, son of the late Patrick Maroteaux, and managed by Jean-Dominique Videau, the estate is renowned for producing wines that beautifully express the character of Bordeaux’s Left Bank. Vintage after vintage, Branaire-Ducru delivers elegance, silky texture and remarkable consistency.
The estate’s 60-hectare vineyard, expanded by 10 hectares in 2009, is planted on gravelly-siliceous alluvial soils from the Quaternary period. This warm Saint-Julien terroir is particularly well suited to late-ripening grape varieties, allowing them to reach excellent phenolic maturity. The vines are 36 years old on average, with some parcels reaching over a century in age.
Duluc de Branaire-Ducru is the estate’s Second Wine, produced from dedicated vineyard parcels and younger vines. It offers a more approachable expression of the Branaire-Ducru style while retaining the finesse, balance and pedigree that make Saint-Julien so highly sought after.
Despite a wet growing season, the mild winter encouraged budbreak around ten days earlier than average. Spring remained mild but brought significant mildew pressure. July began cool and dry before warmer conditions supported healthy vine development. Rain and thunderstorms arrived in mid-August, followed by a dry and hot September, which proved ideal for refining ripeness. Harvest began on 14 September, revealing ripe, beautifully balanced grapes.
Blend
57% Cabernet Sauvignon
36% Merlot
5.5% Cabernet Franc
1.5% Petit Verdot
Why buy this wine?
A superb introduction to the elegance of Château Branaire-Ducru, Duluc is a polished Saint-Julien with freshness, finesse and Left Bank structure. Perfect for lovers of refined Bordeaux who want Grand Cru Classé quality in a more accessible and earlier-drinking style.
