(93-95) Offering an intoxicating mélange of floral, earthy and spicy scents along with cedar, tobacco and black raspberry notes, it’s very apparent something brilliant is about to happen. In the glass, you’ll find elegance and refinement. The fruits are on the red side but the tannins are so delicate, the juice so plentiful, that attention is elsewhere. From a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.76. It represents 60% of the harvest. The higher than usual percentage of the Grand Vin is due to the frost, which hit the parts of the vineyard customarily reserved for the second wine. The harvest took place from September 14 to October 10.

Liquorice, cola, caramel, tobacco and black fruits, - some blue fruit hints too. Smooth and round, this has a lovely weight on the palate, supple and juicy. One of the Branaire vintages where you feel the weight on the palate, some you don't! The tension has dropped and this is starting to widen. It's delicate still, the St Julien elegance on show with an easy fruit-forwardness and super appealing sweetness. Joyful and lifted with hints of strawberry and red cherry and stone and graphite pulling you back to the terroir just at the end. No need to wait to long to start enjoying this as it's offering excellent drinkability right now.

(90-92) The deep purple-colored 2017 Château Branaire-Ducru offers a fresh, focused, classic style in 2017. Beautiful spring flowers, black and blue fruits, and a kiss of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied effort that has nicely integrated acidity, a balanced, clean texture, and plenty of mid-palate depth. My money is on this ending up being an outstanding wine.

A polished style, with a perfumed mesquite note draped over a core of plum and blackberry puree flavors. The finish lingers, with a mineral hint amid the fruit. Pure and aromatic. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032. — JM