The 2015 Branaire Ducru is a gorgeous, totally sexy wine. Rose petal, lavender, mint, sweet red berry and gently spiced notes give the wine much of its gracious, lilting personality. Precise and nuanced to the core, the 2015 Branaire is all class. It's easy to overlook Brainaire in the context of Saint-Julien, where most of the other important wines are much more powerful. Branaire always speaks with a hushed, discreet voice. Readers who appreciate finesse will find much to admire here. The 2015 is a wine of pure and total sensual pleasure. In 2015, the blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. Don't miss it. Tasted two times. vinous.com, February 2018

This pumps lush fig, boysenberry and blackberry confiture notes along, pushed by a rather polished but ample structure. Lots of anise and violet details cascade in on the finish, giving this extra aromatic dimension. JM

More open than many 2015 St.-Juliens at this stage in spite of the firm, dry tannin structure behind the bright cassis. The tannins need some integration, but with some patience (from 2021 or 2022), this will become a rather fine wine.

The 2015 Branaire-Ducru has a clean, pure bouquet of black cherry, boysenberry and cedar aromas that soar from the glass, demonstrating (like other Saint-Julien 2015s) good energy and vivacity. The fresh, mineral-driven palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a crisp line of acidity. The slightly closed but very focused finish feels persistent and satisfying. Quality terroir and winemaking here, in a Branaire that appears to be improving as months go by. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

One of the most dynamic producers on the Left Bank, Branaire was one of the first to use gravity-fed winemaking. Pure, bright, pretty and aromatic with ripe cherry and strawberry fruit. Mineral. Great clarity. Palate is quite fruit intense but clean with nice tension.
– April 2016

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Branaire-Ducru has an earthy nose over a core of red and black currants with hints of tapenade, pencil shavings and sage. The medium-bodied palate is firm and chewy, with just enough fruit and a lively finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Interim Issue Mid-February 2018, The Wine Advocate

Dark ruby. Sweetly gamey on the nose. A little light compared with some but very correct. Quite advanced. But just slightly austere in style. No one could object but I can't imagine many falling madly in love. Stones on the finish. Drink 2024-2038.
16.5/20 – JancisRobinson.com, April 2016