Excellent deep ruby. Vibrant, perfumed aromas of cassis, crystallized black cherry, Cuban tobacco, minerals, dark chocolate and mint. Thick, sweet and concentrated; ripe and pliant. Lively flavor of crunchy berries. Lovely balance and complexity. Finishes very long, with chewy, palate-coating tannins. A classic vintage for Branaire, says Dhalluin, who considers this and the '89 the two top years of the past decade.

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1996: My concerns about the 1996 Branaire turning out too tannic were unfounded. Tasted three times out of bottle, it is a textbook Branaire, with a tell-tale floral, raspberry, and black currant-scented nose intermixed with minerals and floral nuances. Elegant and pure, with surprising lushness and sweet, well-integrated tannin, this medium-bodied, finesse-styled wine should be at its finest between 2005-2018.

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