Once again in 2010, notes of mocha, espresso roast, chocolate, creme de cassis and scorched earth soar from this opaque purple-colored wine. It is aged in 100% new oak, but that is hardly noticeable given the wine’s sensational richness and extravagant fruit. This wine is classic, full-bodied and intense. It’s just a shame that less than 8,000 bottles are usually made. This wine is still backward, but very full, rich, and impressively pure in texture. Give it another 5-8 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 20+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #205, Feb 2013)

Tasted at Chateau Barde Haut in Saint Emilion. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot raised entirely in new oak, the Branon has a fragrant, well defined bouquet with blackberry, iodine, vanilla and cedar. There is still some wood to be subsumed but it is very classy and fresh. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins on the entry. It is still quite closed, despite it being opened two hours prior to my arrival, with plenty of spicy black fruit towards the tannic, savoury finish. Very fine, still robust and therefore it will need 5 to 7 years in bottle. Tasted November 2012.

– eRobertParker.com, Mar 2013