【Wine Industry's "Zhou Botong" - Bordeaux Fourth Growth Branaire-Ducru Second Wine】
【Duluc de Branaire-Ducru, crafted with the same meticulous care as the grand cru】
【A delicious wine that doesn't need to age】【Bordeaux's Outstanding Vintage 2018】
【Robert Parker 93 pts】【James Sucking 92 pts】
【Wine Spectator 90 pts】【VIVINO 4.0】
Region/Category: France / Bordeaux / Saint-Julien
Grape Varieties: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 14%
Volume: 750ml
Taste: Aromas of blackcurrant and chervil. The palate offers notes of chervil, cloves, and liquorice. The wine is dry, with high acidity, full body, pleasant tannins, and a lingering finish.
James Sucking 92 pts—
Plenty of savory fruit with tobacco and chocolate. Medium body. Creamy, fine texture. Juicy and delicious already
Wine Spectator 90 pts—
Is a medium-bodied Saint-Julien Bordeaux with notes of blackcurrant, plum, and dark cherry, described as elegant and charming with a finish of sweet kirsch. The wine is known for its purity, freshness, and soft tannins, and it pairs well with meats like beef or lamb.
周伯通莊園(Chateau Branaire Ducru)
In the 17th century, Chateau Branaire Ducru was part of the Fourth Growth Chateau Beychevelle. It was later sold to Jean-Baptiste Braneyre. Braneyre's daughter, Marie, married Pierre de Luc, which is the origin of the "Duluc" in the estate's name. Descendants built a castle in their ancestor's memory and named the estate Chateau Branaire. It was designated a Fourth Growth in 1855. In 1875, Gustave Ducru and his sister, Zelie Ravez, jointly managed the estate. Gustave later acquired his sister's shares, becoming sole owner. Upon Gustave's death in 1879, the estate returned to Zelie and was renamed Chateau Branaire-Ducru. In 1899, Zelie passed the estate on to his three nephews, and the winery was subsequently managed by a joint family. The crown on the wine label represents the members of the family at that time. After the estate was acquired by Jean-Michel Tapie in 1919, it was not a successful operation until Patrick Maroteaux purchased it in 1988. He continues to pursue traditional winemaking methods, focusing on terroir. He also creates a second wine, Duluc de Branaire-Ducru, to maintain a consistent standard.
Duluc de Branaire Ducru is produced by blending grapes from young vines that are harvested early and planted at a higher density to enhance flavor. Strict yield control is applied to the young vines. The wine undergoes temperature-controlled malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for approximately 21 days, followed by aging in oak barrels for 16 to 18 months, approximately 60 to 65% of which are new. The resulting wine displays an elegant and modern style, balanced and flavorful, and bears similarities to the estate's grand vin.
Château Branaire Ducru's wines are renowned for their rich, intense, powerful, and elegant character. While they tend to be fruity, they require 5 to 15 years of aging to fully develop their true structure and power. For those seeking to savor the estate's winemaking and terroir at an early age, the second wine, Duluc de Branaire-Ducru, is an excellent choice.
At a charity auction, renowned novelist Jin Yong, one of the attendees, named a bottle of Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2000 "Zhou Botong." His image, characterized by his extraordinary martial arts skills, cheerful disposition, and carefree nature, perfectly embodies the unique character of this fine wine.
