Chateau Brane Cantenac 2024

WEINWISSER: "Verführerisches tiefgründiges Bouquet, frischgepflückte schwarze Johannisbeere, edle Tabakwürze, dahinter Heidelbeergelee und zartes Veilchenparfüm. Am sublimen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, herrlicher Extraktfülle, perfekt balancierter Rasse, polierten Tanninen und engmaschigem, mittlerem Körper. Im konzentrierten feinaromatischen Finale Black Currant, dunkle Mineralik und erhabene Adstringenz. Dieser Margaux sollte auf jeder Einkaufsliste stehen – viermal verkostet."

ANSON: "Tons of energy, stone fruits, cherry pits, damson, a lovely feeling of fruit that has plenty of life ahead it, fresh and juicy with sapidity. not trying too hard just full of pleasure. Edge of grilled campfire, graphite, generosity, easily one of the wines of the vintage. 11.3% press wine, 3.53pH, 46.6hl/ha yield. Harvest 17 September to 8 October, 80% new oak for ageing."

DECANTER: "Ripe and concentrated aromas, you can feel the blackcurrant and cherry fruit, dark and full of aromatic intensity. Really welcoming. Bright and lively in the mouth, an instant hit of sweet, juiciness with high acidity giving immediate lift. It’s not plush, more sleek and svelte. More linear than recent vintages of course but lifted with careful extraction and lovely definition. A happy wine. Really makes you smile and one you want to finish. More overt acidity than some - racy - but I love the intense freshness and precision on offer and this grows in stature with time in the glass. 40% grand vin production. Ageing 80% new oak instead of 100%, probably 18 months in barrel. Tasted twice. 11.3% press. 3.53pH."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The Grand Vin is based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc that included 11.3% of press, saw malolactic fermentation in barrel, and will spend 18 months in 80% new barrels. Its deeper ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully pure, layered, elegant, and medium-bodied Margaux that has both red and blue fruits, some violet, spicy wood, and cedar pencil nuances, fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. This hit 12.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.53."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A linear and focused wine with blackcurrants, cherries and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with polished tannins. Classy finish."

VINUM: "Expressiv, duftig, Waldbeeren, getrocknete Kräuter, Sauerkirschen, fast schon Pinot-artig im Ausdruck; seidenweich am Gaumen, samtiges Tannin, lebhafte Säure, knackige Frucht, leichtfüssig, ausbalanciert, langer Abgang, zitrische Rückaromen. Ein delikater Brane, der deutlich weniger konzentriert daherkommt, als in den grossen Jahren; hier wurde voll und ganz auf Eleganz gesetzt."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal fragrant notes of warm red plums, kirsch, and strawberry pie, plus hints of mossy tree bark and black olives. The light to medium-bodied palate is plush and refreshing with impressive intensity and a perfumed finish. Pretty!"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Vanille, Cassis, rote Herzkirschen, ein Hauch von Orangenblüten. Saftig, rote Beerenfrucht, zart nach Ribisel, reife Tannine, dunkle Mineralität im Abgang, bleibt haften, feine Holzwürze im Finish, ein finessenreicher Speisenbegleiter."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Red currants, cherries, flowers, Asian spice, tobacco leaves, and hints of cedar shine in the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, the wine is a modern interpretation of their classic vintage styles. It presents a lively profile with purity in the fruits; however, these fruits, while clean and pure, exhibit a crisp, zesty edge. The finish leaves a touch of orange citrus atop the vibrant currants. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 11% press wine was added to the blend. 12.6% ABV, 3.53 pH. The harvest took place from September 17 - October 8. The Grand Vin was produced from only 37% of the harvest. Drink from 2029-2055."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep crimson hue. Refined nose with a spicy top note. Lovely fragrance to the palate, the tannins ripe and refined. Freshness and persistence on the finish. Lots of charm."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2024 Brane-Cantenac exhibits aromas of sweet berries, vanilla pod and toasty new oak, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy and youthfully tannic palate that's lent a creamy, lactic quality by its malolactic fermentation in new barrels."