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SKU 866986
$1,199.28/case
$99.94/bottle
Tariffs included
Out of stock
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Barrel sample. With marked acidity as well as black fruits, this is a wine with weight and richness. It has a dark core of firm tannins, although the aftertaste maintains the juiciness.
There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.
France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]
Bordeaux: The Pinnacle of Terroir Expression In the illustrious realm of wine, Bordeaux stands as a beacon of excellence, where history, tradition, and terroir converge to create some of the world’s most iconic wines. Bordeaux’s rich mosaic of vineyards is characterized by the left bank, right bank, and the sweet symphony of Sauternes. Each of […]
The Margaux appellation of France's legendary Bordeaux wine region is one of the world's most famous and highly respected viticultural areas. For centuries, Margaux has been deeply associated with extremely fine wines of the highest quality, made using traditional and time-honored techniques in order to extract the very best, most refined and elegant flavors and aromas from the Bordeaux varietal grapes which grow there. Margaux wines are almost always blended, using two or three key Bordeaux grapes, commonly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc (amongst others). The blending techniques and quantities have been passed down through the generations in the ancestral chateaus which make up the region, and quality and prestige has never been allowed to falter, making Margaux one of the undisputed jewels in France's already glittering crown.
JS94pts
James Suckling
Lovely cabernet character, with aromas of paprika, black olives, tobacco leaves and minty freshness. Excellent depth, too. Juicy and tight, with a full body and muscular tannins. Beautiful balance. This needs another year or two. 68% cabernet sauvignon and 32% merlot. Decant to drink now or enjoy from 2027. From a vertical tasting at the winery.
WE94pts
Wine Enthusiast
92-94 Barrel sample. With marked acidity as well as black fruits, this is a wine with weight and richness. It has a dark core of firm tannins, although the aftertaste maintains the juiciness.
DC93pts
Decanter
Beautifully fragrant and finely judged claret with 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot. A refined and charming, gentle expression of the appellation. A property that has grown in quality each year but remains fairly priced.
VM91pts
Vinous Media
The 2012 Brane-Cantenac has a clean and fresh bouquet, more mineral-driven than its peers, vivid and bright with beautifully integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with a savoury entry, quite irony in style and more linear than the aromatics suggest. There is just a touch of dryness towards the finish that makes me question whether it will go anywhere interesting in the future. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On
tasting.
JD91pts
Jeb Dunnuck
A balanced, elegant wine, the 2012 Château Brane-Cantenac shows a fresh, floral, perfumed style in its juicy red and black fruits, underbrush, graphite, and damp flower notes. Based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot and aged 18 months in 70% new French oak, it's medium-bodied and has a nicely balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and plenty of charm. It doesn't have the ripeness of the 2009 and 2010 (or 2011), but it has a rock-solid style that will shine over the coming 15 years. Drink 2026-2041. The 2012 was harvested from September 27 to October 16, hitting 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.69.
WA90pts
Wine Advocate
Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château, the 2012 Brane-Cantenac, now in bottle, has developed a satisfying bouquet of blackberry, tar and tobacco, keeping within the Brane-Cantenac style, but perhaps delivering a little more fruit intensity than it showed out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and well-judged acidity. There is a pleasant fleshiness here with a salinity on the finish that urges another sip. This is commendable for the vintage, although I would suggest it will offer more pleasure in its youth, rather than something that I would insist upon cellaring. Tasted January 2016.
WS90pts
Wine Spectator
Plush yet focused, with a loam-tinged structure carrying dark plum, blackberry coulis and tobacco notes. Cuts a broad swath through the finish, with an echo of freshly drawn espresso. Solid, with a pleasant old-school twinge. Best from 2016 through 2022.
TWI90pts
The Wine Independent
The 2012 Brane-Cantenac is medium to deep garnet colored. It opens with tobacco leaf, leather, and tilled earth scents over a core of prunes and mince pies, plus a suggestion of dried sage. The medium-bodied palate is a little thin yet has nice freshness, offering chewy tannins and a savory finish.
