Chateau Branon (Futures Pre-Sale) 2011
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Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
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Wine Spectator
This has a nice sappy core, showing lots of linzer torte and kirsch notes, with fresh, mouthwatering toasted spice hints chiming in on the finish. Offers solid flesh and drive. An excellent effort.
Barrel Sample: 91-94 Points -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Unfortunately, there are only 500-600 cases of Branon produced from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a vineyard situated near Malartic-Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly. Much better than its stablemate Haut-Bergey, the 2011 Branon exhibits notes of camphor, barbecue smoke, black currants and blueberries. This intensely rich effort tastes of old vines, ink and graphite. This medium to full-bodied, rich Pessac-Leognan should drink well for 15 or more years.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 Points
It is mainly the diversity of its soil that gives the wine its character. The exceptional soil consists of clay and gravel washed up from the Pyrenees caused by the meanderings of the Garonne over time.
In former years the wine had indisputable fame as the old ruins of the Chateau and the chai testify. One of the Gironde’s oldest stone wine presses can be found here. An ancient book - "Les richesses gastronomiques de la France, les vins des Bordeaux", written by Charles Lorbac, says that the merchants Schröder and Schyler bought the 1865 vintage at a price of 1800 F (Germinal) per "tonneau". The official documents of the classification of 1855 indicate that BRANON, at that price, was classified as a 4eme cru.
Recently Chateau Branon has made an incredible comeback and now produces 5000 bottles of wine composed of 50% Merlot and 50 % Cabernet Sauvignon.