Chateau Cantenac Brown 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "Impressive precision to this, offering blackcurrants, blackberries and cherries, as well as hints of cedar and dark fruit. Medium to full body. Creamy and fine tannins. Better than 2022."

WEINWISSER: "71.5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 % Merlot, 1.5 % Cabernet Franc, 13.5 Vol.-%, 52 % Grand Vin. Delikates tiefgründiges blaubeeriges Bouquet, dunkles Edelholz, Baumnuss und edle Cassiswürze. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, kakaoartigem engmaschigem Tanningerüst, balancierter Rasse und perfekt trainiertem Körper. Im konzentrierten, schwarzbeerigen nicht enden wollenden Finale, dunkle Mineralik und erhabene Adstringenz. Viermal verkostet, so gut wie noch nie und damit eine sichere Kaufempfehlung!"

VINUM: "Zurückhaltend, sehr nobel, tiefgründig, dunkelfruchtig, verspielt; knackig, wie ein Biss in einen Korb frischer Beeren, massig Tannin, seidig verwoben, baut Druck auf, bleibt hochelegant; hat dank neuen Kellereinrichtungen an Präzision dazugewonnen."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The first vintage produced in the estate's new state-of-the-art winery, the 2023 Cantenac Brown has turned out very well indeed, offering up aromas of dark berries, pencil shavings and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and layered palate that's serious and precise, concluding with a long, resonant finish. This blend of 71.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 1.5% Cabernet Franc represents 52% of the estate's production; and it reflects both the new winery's enhanced capabilities, along with the presence of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon derived from holdings recently acquired in the heart of the plateau of Margaux."

DECANTER: "Subtle floral aromatics which made me write - on both occasions that I tasted this 'pretty wine'. When you think of Margaux, you wants floral - and you get that in spades here. The attack is all finesse and elegance, with rather racy tannins and subtle depth expressed in ripe dark and red fruit, but understated. This is the first vintage the estate made wine with its new cellar facilities, which have played a role in both selection and tannin extraction: very important in 2023. The finish is marked by a fruit with more floral elements, albeit I note a touch of rawness in the tannins. In a more successful vintage, one would not have that sense, along with superior mid-palate depth and less restraint, but overall, a lovely Margaux and barrel ageing will smoothen all edges. With just over 38hl/ha, a decent yield for the appellation."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische Waldbeeren, feines Cassis, floraler Touch, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, elegant, frische Herzkirschen, feine Tannine, gute Frische, mineralisch und gut anhaftend, ein delikater Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "The black cherries, cedar, and tobacco in the nose are easy to spot. Lush, round, dark, and loaded with chocolate-covered cherries, spice, and licorice, the wine is already pure pleasure in the glass. The wine blends 53% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2036."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Cantenac Brown opens with soft-spoken, savory notes of wild sage, tapenade, and spice box leading to a core of fresh blackberries and black raspberries. The medium-bodied palate delivers expressive black fruit flavors with invigorating red berry accents and a lightly chewy texture, finishing on a peppery note."