Branaire-Ducru St-Julien 2009

96 points Robert Parker: "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. (Feb 2012)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2009 Branaire-Ducru is another killer wine from this vintage that’s drinking spectacularly well at age 10. Based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it’s still ruby/purple color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and even a hint of forest floor. Full-bodied, broad, expansive, and layered on the palate, it builds nicely with time in the glass, has sweet tannins, no hard edges, and a blockbuster finish. This incredible wine can be enjoyed any time over the coming 2-3 decades or more. Bravo! Drink: 2019-2044. (6/14/19)"

96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2009 vintage is irresistible, with fruit of rare opulence. (2011)"

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. Try in 2019. (2/27/12)"

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. (Feb 2012)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Continuing to develop in all the right ways, the wine is a refined, elegant example of Saint Julien with its layers of soft, silky red fruits, mocha, wet earth, spice, and cigar box. Medium/full-bodied, energetic and fresh, this is already drinking just great. Drink from 2023-2050. (Jul 2022)"

94 points Falstaff Guide: "Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle watery rim. Fresh red cherry fruit, a hint of wild berries, delicate floral nuances, a touch of mandarin zest, delicate clove, inviting bouquet. Complex, black cherry fruit, firm, well-integrated tannins, sweet extract and fresh finish, shows very good length, salty aftertaste, confident future potential, already very drinkable. (Feb 2020)"

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. Best from 2015 through 2025. (1/11/12)"

93 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2009 Branaire-Ducru has a crisp and delineated bouquet with dense black fruit, soot, cedar and light tertiary aromas, still quite backward but nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh acidity that cuts through the dusky black fruit laced with white pepper and soy, fanning out gently towards the finish that exerts an insisted grip. This is a straight down the line great Saint-Julien. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Drink: 2021-2045. (Mar 2019)"

93 points Jane Anson (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 château. 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. Drink: 2019-2036. (2/7/19)"