Jean-Baptiste Braneyre gave his name to the domain he bought from the Beychevelle estate, the famous Grand Cru de Saint-Julien. His grand-son Laurent du Luc, whose noble sounding name had been shortened during the French Revolution, became Duluc.
In 1824 his descendants purchased a house and decided to transform it and give it the name of their great-grand-father: Braneyre ou "Branaire".
Since 1988, Patrick Maroteaux and Philippe Dhalluin, respectively President and Managing Director of Branaire-Ducru, still enhance the wines of the prestigious appellation. The winegrowers are well aware that the vines are the strong points of the Château. Philippe Dhalluin explains: "The very gravely soil, as well as the high average age of the vines, account for Branaire-Ducru's low yields”. Branaire's strategy is based on the quality of soils, the famous “graves” of the Médoc area and on the rigorous selection of the grapes variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (3%).
The success of this Fourth growth is due to the selection of the grapes harvest ensuring perfect maturity. The wines of Branaire have a distinctive character which reflects the complexity and personality of a “Grand Cru”. The elegant garnet-red colour of the wine discloses an almost exotic aroma. On the palate one feels the pleasure of a good tannic structure that keeps in memory a fairly firm aftertaste.
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