Previously known as Branaire-Ducru, Château Branaire was part of the vast estate of Château Beychevelle. Since 1988, it has been owned by a French family group led by François-Xavier Maroteaux, son of the late Patrick Maroteaux (who passed away in 2017). The vineyard is situated on one of the finest gravelly ridges in the commune of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle. With vines averaging 35 years of age, the 60-hectare vineyard is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Harvesting is done by hand to ensure optimal berry selection. In 2023, the estate unveiled a new winery, the first suspended winery in the Médoc region, allowing for an increase in the number of vats - 75 vats, 65 suspended – ensuring that the vinification process perfectly respects the plot-by-plot order.The wine is characterised by its aromatic richness and great suppleness. Since 1991, the winery has operated a modern gravity-fed system, which avoids pumping the harvest and the wine, preserving the integrity of the grapes. In recent years, this vineyard has consistently improved in terms of quality, as evidenced by the creation of a second wine and a focus on reducing yields to further enhance quality.

Read our article about Château Branaire-Ducru on the iDealwine blog

Duluc is the second wine produced by this Saint Julien classified growth. It is produced with the same care as the château's grand vin, and benefits from the ongoing quest for excellence of this prestigious representative of the appellation. It is produced with a view to offering a wine that is more accessible and less demanding than the château's grande cuvée.
It generally has fruity aromas that are often accompanied by fresh plant or mineral notes. This is a wine that can be enjoyed when it is very young but can also be kept for a few years. An excellent way of sampling the results of the meticulous work carried out at this château, which is considered to be one of the best in the appellation.