Magnum Château Branaire Ducru

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe9/15/1998

Very pretty aromas of currants and cinnamon. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a silky, caressing texture. Hard to resist now. Tasted better from barrel but a fine wine indeed. Tasted numerous times. Best from 2001 through 2006.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

A beauty in the elegant, restrained, finesse school of winemaking, the dark ruby/purple-colored 1995 Branaire exhibits a floral, cranberry, cherry, and black currant-scented nose intermixed with high quality toasty new oak. Medium-bodied, with excellent definition, supple tannin, and an attractive, alluring personality, this pleasant, measured yet complex wine should drink well young, and keep for two decades.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/1998

An opaque purple color and a classic, young Bordeaux nose of jammy black currants, high quality toasty new oak, and sweet spices are followed by a rich, medium-bodied wine revealing Branaire's tell-tale elegance and purity. It is not a blockbuster, but rather, a flavorful, intense, supple wine with noticeable tannin in the finish. The 1995 Branaire will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring, and last for two decades. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

90-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1996

Branaire has done exceptionally well in both the 1994 and 1995 vintages. It is hard to chose a favorite between these two classically rendered, elegant yet authoritatively flavored wines. The 1995 may be potentially superior since it was made from riper fruit. Moreover, it is low in acidity, with more fatness and ripeness. The tannin is more elevated, and the wine is not yet as complex and well-balanced as the 1994. Nevertheless, it is an intense, impressively endowed example of the vintage that should be outstanding when released next year. Since it is a bigger, more muscular wine, it will require 2-3 years of cellaring; it should keep for 15+ years.