Growers who were working in 1959 called it the vintage of the century, and for once that was not sales talk. A hot, dry summer ripened the Médoc fully and early, and the wines came out dark, rich and generous in a way Bordeaux had not managed since 1947.
Branaire-Ducru is a Fourth Growth of Saint-Julien, sitting opposite Beychevelle on the road out towards the river. Its style has always been the leaner, more perfumed side of the commune rather than the plush one, and in a harvest as ripe as 1959 that balance works in the wine's favour.
Read the condition carefully before you buy this one. The fill has dropped to just below mid-shoulder and the capsule is damaged, so it should be given as an object from the year rather than opened with any confidence. It is priced accordingly: a Médoc classed growth from a legendary vintage at a fraction of what an intact bottle would cost.
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Producer: Château Branaire-Ducru
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Vintage: 1959
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Appellation: Saint-Julien AOC
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Format: 75cl
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Region: Bordeaux, France
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Style: Red
Where it is likely to be now. Below mid-shoulder with a damaged capsule, the wine has very likely taken in air over sixty-seven years, so treat it as a collectible rather than a drink.
Who it suits. For a sixty-seventh birthday, or for anyone who grew up hearing 1959 described as the great year and would like the label on their shelf.
Condition. The wine sits a little below mid-shoulder and the metal capsule is damaged — both are visible signs of age, and both are the reason this bottle costs what it does.
Provenance. Bought to order from a professional European merchant. We check fill, label and capsule when the bottle reaches us and photograph it before it ships.
Delivered in 7 to 10 working days, tracked. Transit cover can be added at checkout.
Sold as a collectible item, as seen. No guarantee is given on drinkability.
