-
98
/ 100
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
96
/ 100
James Suckling -
95
/ 100
Jeb Dunnuck
Red
Classification
Cabernet Blend
Variety
2016
Vintage
750ml (Bottle)
Bottle Size
France
Country
Bordeaux, Margaux
Region
13.5%
Alcohol %
15 Plus Years
Cellaring
Scores
98 / 100"The 2016 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere picked from 22 September until 17 October (the tiny parcel of Carmenere picked three days later). The yields came in at 51 hectoliters per hectare and it is matured in 75% new oak and 25% one-year-old barrels, the final alcohol level 13.3%. It has a beautifully defined, very detailed bouquet with mineral-rich black fruit laced with cedar and graphite notes, living up to its nom de plume as the "Pauillac of Margaux." The palate is simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate, without question. This has presence, but also weightlessness, filigree tannin and perfectly pitched acidity, with real intensity and drive. The tension here is outstanding and the persistence is incredibly long. It is not the showiest of all the 2016s by a long stretch, and yet it is everything you could possibly want from a Margaux."
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
96 / 100
"So much ripe and sweet tobacco on the nose with currant and blackberry character. Full body, intense tannins with density and beauty. It’s a wine with great structure and panache for this estate. Try after 2024."
- James Suckling
95 / 100
"I missed this wine in my recent 2016 Bordeaux report, but I was able to purchase a bottle locally. A tremendous Margaux, the 2016 offers the quintessential elegance of the appellation as well as plenty of density, concentration, and ripe tannins. Beautiful notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedarwood, and flowery incense all emerge from the glass, and it builds nicely with air, offering medium to full body, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is classic Margaux as well as a classic 2016. It’s already approachable, and I doubt it will close down, yet it’s going to develop additional nuances with another 4-6 years of bottle age and have 25-30 years of prime drinking."
- Jeb Dunnuck
Tasting Notes
Nestled within the Bordeaux landscape, Chateau Brane Cantenac 2016 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of this Second Growth estate. Remarkably, the core of the vineyard, integral to its 1855 classification, has retained its essence, spanning 45 hectares that envelop the Chateau and are dedicated to the creation of the Grand Vin. The remaining 75-hectare expanse contributes to the crafting of the estate's second wine, Baron de Brane.
Immersed in a deep purple hue, this vintage unfolds a tapestry of complexity. The nose dances with intricate notes of black fruits, toast, vanilla, and a delicate interplay of floral and fresh nuances. On the palate, the wine reveals its supple and round character, adorned by a tannic structure that is both fine and silky. The finish lingers, leaving behind a pleasantly aromatic back palate. This dense and fleshy wine exhibits remarkable depth and achieves a perfect equilibrium with refined yet powerful tannins. Positioned as one of the most exceptional vintages in recent years, it promises an extended aging potential, making it a truly timeless masterpiece.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity