{"product_id":"2016-37-5cl-branaire-ducru-duluc-branaire-ducru","title":"2016 Branaire Ducru, Duluc Branaire Ducru","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"334\" data-end=\"736\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"421\"\u003eThe estate’s history dates back to 1725, when Marie Braneyre, daughter of the founder of Branaire-Ducru, married Pierre Du Luc, Councilor to King Louis XV, bringing the property into the Du Luc family for over two centuries. Today, \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eDuluc de Branaire-Ducru\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is the estate’s second wine, created in the 1990s from younger vines to offer a more accessible expression while remaining true to the château’s style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"423\" data-end=\"817\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe vineyards lie on the prized gravelly slopes of Saint-Julien-Beychevelle in Bordeaux, with a carefully balanced mix of grape varieties led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Both the grand vin and second wine are produced with the same care and winemaking standards, with final blends determined through detailed tastings, ensuring each reflects the estate’s signature character and elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"91\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2016\u003c\/strong\u003e growing season offered near-ideal conditions for producing an exceptional vintage. A cool, wet spring encouraged strong, healthy leaf growth, though careful monitoring was required to manage mildew risk. Early June then brought an extended period of warm, dry sunshine, promoting even flowering across most vineyard plots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"334\" data-end=\"736\"\u003eFrom late June through mid-September, the summer remained notably hot and dry, with minimal rainfall. This gradual water stress proved beneficial, enhancing the grapes’ phenolic development, key to the wine’s colour, structure, and tannin quality. The steady sunshine and limited water allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and consistently, contributing to refined tannins and complex aromatic development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"\" data-end=\"1193\" data-start=\"1190\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTASTING NOTES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:4c02143a-75d2-45fe-9b6d-3b4841f0f48b-2\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative w-full overflow-visible\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:4c02143a-75d2-45fe-9b6d-3b4841f0f48b-2\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:4c02143a-75d2-45fe-9b6d-3b4841f0f48b-2\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-6\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"fc80d1f6-6b86-4303-b085-f6de5d621696\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"184\"\u003eOn the nose, the wine opens with a vibrant, precise expression of\u003cstrong\u003e red fruit,\u003c\/strong\u003e layered with \u003cstrong\u003edelicate floral notes.\u003c\/strong\u003e With aeration, subtle hints of \u003cstrong\u003espice \u003c\/strong\u003eemerge, adding further complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"368\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe palate is supple and rounded, with an appealing sense of richness. Its structure is finely defined, supporting a long, expressive finish marked by freshness and lively aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"\" data-end=\"1193\" data-start=\"1190\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFOOD PAIRING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine pairs beautifully with dishes that complement its refined fruit, floral lift, and fine structure. It works especially well with\u003cstrong\u003e roast poultry\u003c\/strong\u003e, such as \u003cstrong\u003educk \u003c\/strong\u003eor \u003cstrong\u003eguinea fowl\u003c\/strong\u003e, as well as herb-crusted\u003cstrong\u003e lamb or tender veal\u003c\/strong\u003e. Earthy elements like wild \u003cstrong\u003emushrooms or truffle-based sauces\u003c\/strong\u003e enhance its aromatic depth, while simple grilled meats bring out its freshness and balance. For \u003cstrong\u003echeese\u003c\/strong\u003e, opt for soft to semi-aged varieties that won’t overpower its elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Friarwood Wines \u0026 Spirits","offers":[{"title":"37.5 CL","offer_id":55529268052353,"sku":"BRANA2016DUL24375|DUTY PAID","price":22.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5643\/files\/2016-branaire-ducru-duluc-branaire-ducru-1124496.jpg?v=1779101291","url":"https:\/\/www.friarwood.com\/products\/2016-37-5cl-branaire-ducru-duluc-branaire-ducru","provider":"Friarwood Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}