2016 · Duluc de Branaire-Ducru
Château Branaire‑Ducru
Red · Saint-Julien, France
Fruit-forward
Dry · Bold structured · Classic · Smooth
Technical details
Vinification & maturation
Hand harvestedParcel-by-parcel vinificationGravity-flow cellar25–27°C fermentation3–4 weeks maceration12 months French oak
Grapes
Cabernet SauvignonMerlotCabernet FrancPetit Verdot
Soils
ClayGravelAlluvial
Producer
Château Branaire‑Ducru
France
Branaire-Ducru is a family-owned fourth-growth estate in Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, owned by the Maroteaux family since 1988 and now managed by François-Xavier Maroteaux. A Grand Cru Classé of 1855, it combines historic roots with a modern gravity-flow winery designed for parcel-by-parcel vinification, with Jean-Dominique Videau overseeing blends since 2002. The estate emphasizes meticulous sustainable farming, including responsible agriculture, organic-inspired trials, biocontrol, and environmental commitments such as ISO 14001 and HVE level 3. Manual harvesting, château bottling, and extended barrel ageing support a house style defined by fruit, freshness, and restrained elegance.