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Chateau Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 2001

$9999

The 2001 Saint-Julien vintage has always sat in the shadow of 2000 and 2005, which is exactly why bottles like this are still worth drinking - the wines were classically built, never overripe, and have aged on a long, steady curve. Branaire-Ducru's Fourth Growth, traditional style is a natural fit for this kind of vintage: now well into the secondary stage, with cedar and tobacco coming forward but plenty of fruit still in the mid-palate. A drinking-window sweet spot at twenty-plus years.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

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Have Questions?

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Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


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Antonio Galloni

92 points

"The 2001 Branaire Ducru was picked October 1–14 and is slightly higher in alcohol than the 2000. It appears just a touch deeper in color than the previous vintage. The well-defined, cohesive bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, tea leaf and clove is less evolved than the 2000. The palate is medium-bodied with a firmer backbone and solid tannins that frame the lightly spiced, tobacco-tinged red fruit, which has ebbed a little since I last tasted it. This is well balanced and fresh, a little more persistent than the 2000, and it may benefit from another 2–3 years in bottle." —Neal Martin

Robert Parker

91 points

"This is a deep red/purple-colored, stylish, sexy concoction of raspberries, graphite, smoke, minerals, and flowers. The complex aromatics are followed by a medium to full-bodied, seamless St.-Julien displaying velvety tannin, medium body, and sweet, concentrated fruit in a stylish, well-constructed, elegant style. The tannin is unobtrusive and well-integrated." —Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Jancis Robinson

16 points

"Looks very healthy crimson. Not much nose though lots of ripeness on the palate - pretty big and round and cuddly for a Saint-Julien 2001. Could do with a bit more aroma and lift. Again a question about the health of the bottle but no backup." —Jancis Robinson MW

Wine Spectator

90 points

"This is wonderfully perfumed, with blackberry, plum and light cherry character. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a medium finish. Outstanding. Close to the 2000 in quality."

Wine Enthusiast

95 points

"This is a marvelously complete wine, with its impressive ripe fruit, shining through the open structure. It is firm, but not too much. Stone black fruits are just perfectly ripe. There is just a core of dryness to compliment the rest of the wine." —Roger Voss

More about Chateau Branaire-Ducru

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot , Other Regional Grapes , Red Blend

  • Vintage

    2001

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roast duck, grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, pâté en croûte, aged Comté.

Tasting Profile

Mature, balanced, classical. Cassis, cedar, tobacco, dried herb, sweet earth. Resolved tannins, medium-plus body, long savory finish.

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