96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "One seriously sexy Saint-Julien, the 2009 Branaire-Ducru is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It offers a killer nose of cr?me de cassis, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and crushed flowers. This gives way to a full-bodied, incredibly layered, broad and expansive 2009 that has everything you could want from a top-flight Bordeaux. Its already approachable, yet has the concentration to keep for another two decades." (12/2017) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Haut couture becomes a wine! This dense purple wine has the tell-tale notes of flowers and pencil shavings, and its broad aromatics are intense and totally captivating. Powerful, rich, and full, but less tannic than the 2005 and more opulent, this is a dazzling Branaire to drink between 2017-2035. (RP)" (02/2012) 95 points Wine Enthusiast: "Very supple wine, with great richness and density. It is all so complete, a pleasure, powerful yet also with sweet opulent fruits layered with dark tannins. For long-term aging. *Cellar Selection* (RV)" (02/2012) 95 points James Suckling: "Gorgeous aromas of dark berries and wet earth, with hints of graphite. Full body, with juicy, chewy tannins and a long rich, fruity, and succulent finish. Best ever from here." (02/2012) 93 points Decanter: "The tannins up in St-Julien are taking notably longer to open up than in Margaux or over on the right bank, even in the generous 2009 vintage. This is a good quality wine that's still relatively well-knitted together and subdued on the nose - as it was when I tasted it at the ch?teau. It does open though, revealing one of the more fresh, balanced styles of 2009 in this lineup. Subtle dark chocolate and cedar scents lead to a palate of cassis fruits, with a lovely swirl of tobacco on the finish. Drinking window 2019 - 2036 (JA)" (02/2019) 93 points Wine Spectator: "A ripe, chewy, muscular style, with good cut despite the hefty tar, blackberry, roasted fig and singed apple wood notes. The long, anise-stained finish lets the tarry edge play out, though this shows a touch more finesse than some of its colleagues. (JM)" (03/2012) 93 points Vinous: "Bright, deep ruby. Superripe, brooding aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Sweet, concentrated and fine-grained, with terrific depth to the plush cassis and coffee liqueur flavors. Serious dusty, fine tannins will not stand in the way of early approachability but this wine has the structure for a 20+-year life in bottle. (ST) 93+" (07/2012) 92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Red with a pale rim. The fruity nose hints at macerated red cherries, bitter chocolate and dried herbs. Then big, fat and soft on the palate, with fresh, harmonious acidity providing adequate lift to the black cherry, chocolate and sweet spice flavors. The long, plush finish offers a concentrated coffee and red fruit cocktail quality. Still very young and likely to develop more complexity. As good as this is, Branaire-Ducru is one estate where the 2010 will likely turn out to better than the 2009. (ID) 92+" (03/2014)
