2009 Chateau Branaire Ducru

品嚐筆記：酒體呈深紫紅，香氣層次豐富，先是成熟的黑莓與黑櫻桃，接著是紫羅蘭花香、咖啡可可、雪茄盒與些許香料氣息。口感屬中偏重，果實濃郁但不厚重，單寧結實卻被圓潤的質地包裹，酸度帶動整體節奏，尾韻帶有礦感與鹹味，延展力很棒。
酒莊與釀造：這是酒莊的經典之作，世代經營對風土的尊重體現在每一瓶酒上。葡萄園分區手採並在挑選台上精選果實，各地塊分批發酵，浸皮時間較長以提取完整的結構。成年於法國橡木桶約18個月，橡木與果味融合得當。
田間與年份概況：2009年春季稍晚發芽，但整體生長期溫暖晴朗，6月至9月的低雨量讓植株產生適度水分壓力，促進單寧與香氣成熟；9月中旬的及時微雨助益表皮變化，隨後回穩的好天氣讓採收期得以漸進式成熟，產量平衡，品質集中。整體來說是一款結構優雅、適合搭配燒烤或濃味紅肉的成熟聖朱利安風格酒款。

Tasting note: Deep ruby-purple in the glass, this 2009 shows a layered bouquet of ripe dark berries, black cherry and cassis, edged with violet florals, mocha, cigar-box and cedar spice. On the palate it is medium‑to‑full-bodied with concentrated fruit framed by firm yet polished tannins, lively acidity and a saline mineral thread that carries a long, persistent finish.
Producer notes: A signature wine of the estate, crafted across generations with respect for terroir and classic Saint-Julien balance. The House Signature—refinement, tension and aromatic clarity—remains consistent year to year.
Winemaking & ageing: Parcels are harvested by hand and sorted; fermentations are conducted by parcel and variety, with extended macerations up to three weeks to build structure. The wine was matured for 18 months in French oak, producing ripe oak integration and a plush texture.
Vineyard notes & vintage: Harvest took place from 22 September to 8 October following a warm, sunny summer and a slightly delayed spring. Progressive hydric stress through the season, helped by mid‑September rains, encouraged phenolic ripeness and healthy yields (around 47 hl/ha), delivering concentrated flavour and fine tannic potential.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 13.5%
• Decant Time: 60-90 minutes
• Taste: black cherry, dark fruit, mocha, cigar box, cedar, violet floral, wet earth / mineral, clove & spice, silky texture, firm but integrated tannins, saline finish, long finish
• Food Matching: Roast lamb (leg or shoulder) with jus, Grilled ribeye or steak sandwich, Rare roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, Venison and other game, Aged cheddar and firm cow's-milk cheeses
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 65%, Merlot : 28%, Cabernet Franc : 4%, Petit Verdot : 3%,

Winery

布拉奈－杜克魯酒莊（4級列級名莊），家族世代經營，重視傳統與風土表現。園裡分地塊細心管理，手工採摘、分批發酵，是以穩定風格與優雅結構著稱的聖朱利安酒莊。

Chateau Branaire-Ducru (4ème Grand Cru Classé) — a family-run Saint-Julien estate known for producing refined, classically structured wines that express a consistent house style through patient viticulture and careful parcel-by-parcel vinification.