The 2021 Brane-Cantenac shows considerable promise, exhibiting a deep bouquet of wild berries, cassis, spices and violets, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and impressively concentrated palate that's framed by powdery tannins, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. This seamless and enveloping wine is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and the balance Carmenère and Petit Verdot. Once again, it's derived from the château's best holdings on the plateau of Brane and is maturing in entirely new barrels.
#58 in Top 100 Wines of France, 2024. This wine stands out for vibrancy, balance, juiciness and crunch. Medium- to full-bodied, which is impressive for this lighter year with higher acidity. I love the balance and prettiness of the wine. Fine-grained tannins. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 1% carmenere and 1% petit verdot. Drink or hold. From a vertical tasting at the winery.
A dark seductive nose, liquorice, sweet and sticky with a real depth to the aromatics, black chocolate and perfumed blackcurrants - that glamour that Margaux does so well. High acid here, crunchy fruit with bite and ample appeal. This is a little high-toned still, with the focus on the mineral, slightly austere sides to the bright and youthful strawberry fruit with toasted wood edges. Tannins are so supple and integrated however, they give a plumpness but this is still quite a linear wine, with such tension and drive - it's tightly-knitted no doubt but has the most gorgeous herbal Cabernet elements on the fresh finish which I totally love. You get understated power, this feels well controlled, sophisticated and totally delectable. What a lovely 2021. Eric Boissenot consultant. 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère complete the blend. 3.66pH.
The 2021 Brane-Cantenac was picked from September 23 until October 7 at a respectable 41.2hL/ha and aged 100% new oak. It has a fragrant nose of dark red fruit, undergrowth, pencil box and light minty scents, understated at first but opening up nicely in the glass (it always requires patience). The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and fresh as a daisy, displaying impressive tension. This focused, precise Brane-Cantenac conveys a great deal of harmony. The tensile, graphite finish lingers long in the mouth. While not quite reaching the lofty heights of "peak Brane," this is a very commendable and quite cerebral wine for the vintage.
TWI
94pts
The Wine Independent
The 2021 Brane-Cantenac is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, notes of black raspberries, juicy blackberries, and cassis come barreling out of the glass, plus nuances of dried herbs and graphite. The light to medium-bodied palate offers great tension and intensity, with fine-grained tannins and a long, savory finish.
A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère, and 1% Petit Verdot aged 18 months in 100% new French oak, the 2021 Château Brane-Cantenac comes from a vintage marked by frost, spring rains, and a gloomy summer before late-season drought. Red and black fruits intermixed with spice and leafy herbs define the bouquet, and it's medium-bodied, round, and supple on the palate, loaded with charm, terrific purity, soft tannins, and a great finish. From a challenging vintage, this is nevertheless a balanced, pleasurable Margaux I'd happily drink a bottle of today. It will keep for two decades. Drink 2026-2046. The 2021 was harvested from September 23 to October 7, hitting 13% alcohol with a pH of 3.56.