Sociando has always used new oak as well, no?
1 Like
Yup. Though who can tell under all that green pepper. 
As well as almost all Ferrière vintages, Robert… 
Yup. Full cases of 2016 and 2019! Anither steal in these vintages.
I tasted all major St. Juliens from the 2019 vintage from bottle side by side (not LLC). They are all superb. From a QPR standpoint the Branaire and the Gloria are the stars. What a quality. Simply superb. I think the wines will always be fun to drink. Young and old. This is beneficial for all who are 60 now or older.
2 Likes
What about Lagrange?
I’m not sure why I always forget about this château, but I did buy some 16s, I just haven’t tried them. I am likely to buy the 2019 as well. William Kelley gave the 19 a really wonderful review.
Lagrange superb as well. All the St. Julien in 2019 are wonderful. Lagrange no exception!
1 Like
Yes! Ducru and Lagrange are two of the best QPR wines coming out of Bordeaux.
a sixpack of both waiting in my cellar, blame WB and WK 
1 Like
Had the last glass+ tonight, and it’s so darned classic.
I sometimes wonder whether it makes rational sense to buy anything but ageable Bordeaux under $50
3 Likes
We had the 2019 Branaire-Ducru at the first bona fide “outdoor patio day” in Boston yesterday. This was terrific: exuberant without being over the top in any way and it didn’t really seem shut down.
- 2019 Château Branaire-Ducru - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien (4/28/2024)
An excellent showing from this bottle today. Gave it around 3 hours of air. We expected this to be somewhat shut down but it showed very expressive cassis, tobacco, earth, and cedar notes. The palate was concentrated and generous while still holding something in reserve: leather, dark fruits, and polished tannins heading into the finish. The whole showed impressive integration for such a young wine and I'm optimistic about its medium- and long-term future.
3 Likes