Chateau Brane Cantenac 2025

The Wine Cellar Insider: Black cherries, currants, roses, violets, spice, and forest floor create the aromatics. On the palate, the elegance and purity of the fruit are instantly recognizable. The lift and vibrancy, paired with concentration and sensuality, set this apart. The finish starts strong and continues seamlessly. 2025 marks the Lurton family's 100th anniversary of owning the vineyard. You can expect to see a special label celebrating the occasion. The 2025 is in competition with the 2022 as the best vintage ever produced at the estate. The wine blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 1% Carmenere, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 13.3% ABV, 3.62 pH. Harvesting took place September 2 - September 19. Yields were 32 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2065."

Vinum: Die Stille, die Noblesse, die Präzision im Duft machen diesen Brane einmal mehr zu einem der grossen Weine des Jahrgangs; feinfruchtig, floral, mit viel Cassis und subtilen Röstnoten im Duft offenbart der Wein am Gaumen ein degustatives Spektakel; feinste Tannine umhüllen die Frucht wie Samt und Seide, ungemein druckvoll, dabei federleicht über die Zunge schwebend, stets präsent, nie aufdringlich; im Abgang von ausgezeichneter Länge. Das ist ein Wein, der die grosse Bühne einen Abend lang füllen kann."

Jane Anson: This is luscious and full of wonderfully bright fruits, great concentration, cushion of air underneath, high Cabernet and it comes through in the floral aromatics, clearly a plentiful tannic structure but luscious and layered damson and black cherry. Yes yes yes. 12.10% press wine. 3.62 pH. Tasted twice. 100 years of the Lurtons at Brane."

Decanter: Ripe and juicy blackcurrant aromas, really pure and expressive, fruit forward with iris notes as well. Juicy and friendly with such a lifted, bright and energetic core but grippy too, really wide and filling with the structure and concentration matching the acidity step for step. Firm and streamlined, but there’s purity and I do love the slightly more muscular aspect to this. Maybe less charming than previous vintages but more sophisticated. Clarity is exceptional. Lovely and long. 1% Carménère completes the blend. 3.62pH. 12.1% press wine."

Jeb Dunnuck: Cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and tobacco all define the 2025 Château Brane-Cantenac, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 1% each Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot that's being raised in 100% new French oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a focused, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful concentration and depth, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Hitting 13.5% alcohol, it's a brilliant success in the vintage and should be snatched up by readers."

Falstaff: Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Floraler Touch, ein Hauch von Cassis, Nuancen von roten Kirschen, mineralisch, Nuancen von Edelholz unterlegt. Saftig, Kirschen und Preiselbeeren, finessenreiche Säurestruktur, reife, tragende Tannine, elegant und lange anhaftend, sehr gute Länge, mineralischer Nachhall, salziger Rückgeschmack, großes Zukunftsversprechen."

James Suckling: A medium-bodied and solid red with blackberry, chocolate, meat and walnut character. It shows juicy tannins and a long finish. Persistent and classy. Such length and balance."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Brane-Cantenac springs from the glass with spritely notes of blackberries and red currants, followed by underlying hints of lilacs, black olives, crushed rocks, and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet and racy with firm, grainy tannins and vibrant black and red berry flavors, plus a long mineral-laced finish. The blend is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenère. It has a pH of 3.62 and the alcohol is 13.3%."