The 1995 Branaire-Ducru has a generous bouquet that might be a tad riper than the 1996 with blackberry, dark plum, a touch of sage and tobacco all with fine delineation. The palate is more forward than the 1996, a little ripe but I prefer the structure on the 1995. A subtle saline touch on the entry, dusky red-berried fruit with cedar and a touch of tobacco on the finish. Lovely. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at a vertical in London.

Currant and black licorice, with a coffee undertone. Plummy. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long caressing finish. A beauty. Holding back still.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective.

One of the better wines from what has become a difficult vintage, due to the strong, harsh nature of the tannins, here you find a wine that is classic in nature. Firm, slightly rustic and with a touch of green in the nose and palate, this is what old-school, classic Bordeaux is all about. The wine is full-bodied and loaded with fruit, but rustic nature of the tannins intrude on what otherwise would have been a nice party. Tasted Nov 2018

Drink 2008-2018
-Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide No 7

A beauty in the elegant, restrained, finesse school of winemaking, the dark ruby/purple-colored 1995 Branaire exhibits a floral, cranberry, cherry, and black currant-scented nose intermixed with high quality toasty new oak. Medium-bodied, with excellent definition, supple tannin, and an attractive, alluring personality, this pleasant, measured yet complex wine should drink well young, and keep for two decades.