About the Wine

Brane-Cantenac is located in one of the best terroirs in the world, Margaux. This appellation is known for producing extremely elegant wines with a finesse that’s out of this world. Brane is located in some of Margaux’s very finest plots. The Chateau is positioned on an illustrious plateau, with stony soils forcing the roots of the vines to delve deep into the earth for sustenance.

This estate got its start as Guilhem-Hosten, it wasn’t until the Baron of Brane purchased the estate that it took on its current moniker. For the Baron to make this purchase he had to raise funds, he achieved this by selling another property that he owned, that just happened to be Mouton Rothschild. 

Since its early years, owners and wine enthusiasts saw the potential this estate had. But it was until the beginning of this century that it started living up to that potential. That being said, Brane-Cantenac is producing wines better than ever before and improving quality every year.  

Today, this 2nd growth estate is owned by the Lurton family. The Lurton family is Bordeaux royalty, this family owns over 20 estates, including 6 classified growths like Chateau Desmirail, and Haut-Bages Libéral.

2020 was a great year for Bordeaux. Vinous Media blessed this year with a 97-point review and said, "Two thousand-twenty is an exceptional vintage for Bordeaux, certainly the best in the 2018-2020 trilogy. Quality is very, very high."

Aging: 18 months in 100% French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 0,5 % Petit Verdot, 0,5 % Carmenère.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

Blackberries, plums, currants, tobacco and violets on the nose. Bitter chocolate and mocha, too. It’s refined and focused, with a medium to full body and firm, tightly-knit tannins. Very long, laser-focused and polished. Very classy. Best of the trilogy. Try after 2027. ~98 James Suckling

Heady and expressive on the nose, seductive tones of ripe fruit and perfumed flowers. Gorgeous intensity on the palate, rich, round, and ripe - gently chewy - but cool and refreshing too. This has a dynamic undercurrent with tannins that are fine but firm giving a slightly narrow frame. It’s a bit more serious than some, brooding, but clearly well made with definition. There’s a confidence here, vibrant and detailed fruit with an excellent lingering impression of the terroir in the slightly salty, chalky, graphite touch. Layered and well built with supreme classicism. A top buy. I'd like to own this one!~97 Decanter

This estate has been on a roll, and their 2020 Château Brane-Cantenac is another brilliant wine that readers will love. Largely in the mold of the 2019, it has a deep purple hue as well as an incredible bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherries, freshly sharpened pencils, tobacco, and flowers. This medium to full-bodied, richly textured, concentrated, yet remarkably elegant 2020 has the vintage's fresher, focused, elegant profile but still brings plenty of flesh and opulence. Beautifully done, it’s going to evolve for a solid 30 years in cold cellars and offer incredible pleasure all its life. ~97 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Brane-Cantenac takes time to open in the glass, offering gorgeous blackberry, pencil box and tobacco scents that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and outstanding delineation. Very cohesive, this is a supremely focused Brane-Cantenac that lives up to the billing after such an impressive showing en primeur. So precise on the finish, with light graphite notes lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful. ~96 Vinous

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