Chateau Brane Cantenac 2018

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Elegant, fresh and refined, the wine offers layers of sweet, ripe, fresh, red berries, smoke, flowers, wet earth, herbs, spice box and tobacco leaf in the perfume. On the palate, the wine is silky, lifted, long and pure, displaying a beautiful depth of flavor in the finish. The wine blends 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is now performing as one of the top Margaux estates. Their latest release shows structure, elegant black fruits and rich tannins. Densely textured and vibrantly fruity, the wine has a fine future. Drink from 2027."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Aromas of mushroom, meat, bark and iodine with blackberries and blackcurrants, following through to a full body with firm, creamy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Tight on the finish. Long and persistent with presence. Drink after 2025."

DECANTER: "Deep and generous blackberry fruits and rich chocolate, there is good balance here with depth and interest and a ton of flavour. Really good stuff, with juice and a drive forward through the palate. 1% Petit Verdot makes up the blend - there was no Carmenère in the grand vin in 2018. A yield of 45hl/ha. 70% new oak. Drinking Window 2026 - 2045"

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpurrot. Komplexes Bouquet mit Brasiltabak und edler Cassiswürze, dahinter dunkles Malz und exotische Edelhölzer. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit engaschigem Tanningerüst und fleischigem Extrakt, erinnert vom Charakter an ein ungezähmtes Wildpferd. Im konzentrierten Finale ein langes, intensives Rückaroma mit Schlehen, dominikanischem Tabak und einer (arroganten) Edelbitternote. Kein Frühcharmeur, unbedingt Geduld bewahren!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Brane-Cantenac is medium to deep garnet-purple in color, leaping from the glass with vibrant notes of kirsch, black raspberries and warm cassis, plus suggestions of roses, forest floor and cinnamon stick with a waft of cedar chest. The medium-bodied palate is wonderfully elegant and refreshing, weighing in at just 13.5% alcohol, while not scrimping on the interplay of red and black fruits. It has lovely soft tannins and a long, perfumed finish. Impressive!"

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart kräuterwürzig unterlegte frische Herzkirschen, kandierte Orangenzesten, etwas Nougat, mineralischer Touch. Saftig, rotes Waldbeerkonfit, frischer Säurebogen, feine, integrierte Tannine, ein lebendiger Begleiter bei Tisch, bereits zugänglich und gut entwickelt. (2020–2040)"