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.

2019 was an outstanding vintage for this region. It was awarded 97 points by Vinous Media who said it is"Unquestionably a Left Bank vintage. The sweet spot is in Saint-Estèphe and Pauillac, where so many wines are exceptional to profound, at all levels in the hierarchy of terroirs."

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

Derived exclusively from the château's holdings on the deep gravel soils of the plateau of Brane, the 2019 Brane-Cantenac has turned out brilliantly and merits a special effort to seek out. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, pencil shavings, violets, sweet loamy soil and cardamon, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, ripe tannins and a beautifully seamless, perfumed profile. Retaining all the estate's signature elegance but with an extra dimension of depth and intensity, it's the finest Brane-Cantenac of the modern era and one of the great successes of the 2019 vintage. ~97 Wine Advocate

The 2019 Brane-Cantenac is wild and exotic from the very first taste. The aromatics alone are dazzling. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice, tobacco, new leather, menthol and cinnamon are all kicked up in this flamboyant Margaux. The 2019 is radiant and generous, yet also retains a very classic sense of structure. The precision here is just unreal. In 2019, Brane-Cantenac is an absolute head-turner. It is the sort of wine that abounds in Bordeaux, a wine that offers tremendous quality and relative value. ~97 Vinous Media

Creamy black fruit and dark chocolate alongside hints of coffee on the nose. Lovely sumptuous texture here, chewy with bite and grip. This has high acidity on the palate with tannins that are plush but focused. This is glossy and quite glamorous, yet still refined with flavours shining brightly out the glass. Good persistence and a menthol, charcoal-edged finish that lingers satisfyingly.  ~96 Decanter

One of the standout Margaux, the 2019 Château Brane-Cantenac shows more elegance and finesse in its tannins and structure than most. Giving up a beautifully complex nose of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as cedary spice and spring flowers, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has a seamless mouthfeel, beautiful purity and precision, and a great finish. This is certainly the finest vintage I’ve tasted from this Chateau, surpassing even the 2018, although comparing these two vintages side by side over the coming years will be a true treat. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 20-25 years. ~96 Jeb Dunnuck

This shows lots of currant, chocolate, tobacco and herbal aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Refined and complex. Needs at least four or five years to come together. ~95 James Suckling 

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