Chateau Brane Cantenac 2019

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Derived exclusively from the château's holdings on the deep gravel soils of the plateau of Brane, the 2019 Brane-Cantenac has turned out brilliantly and merits a special effort to seek out. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, pencil shavings, violets, sweet loamy soil and cardamon, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, ripe tannins and a beautifully seamless, perfumed profile. Retaining all the estate's signature elegance but with an extra dimension of depth and intensity, it's the finest Brane-Cantenac of the modern era and one of the great successes of the 2019 vintage."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Brane Cantenac is on fire lately! Vintage after vintage, they have really been on top of their game and 2019 continues their hot-streak! I do not know what is better, the silky, supple, sensuous, and sexy textures on the palate, or the complex set of aromas with all of its roses, lilacs, violets, cherries, plums, tobacco-leaf, earth and herbs. The wine has texture, length and purity along with the ability to age and evolve for up to 3 decades. This is a beautiful wine from Brane Cantenac. Drink from 2027-2060."

DECANTER: "Creamy black fruit and dark chocolate alongside hints of coffee on the nose. Lovely sumptuous texture here, chewy with bite and grip. This has high acidity on the palate with tannins that are plush but focussed. This is glossy and quite glamorous, yet still refined with flavours shining brightly out the glass. Good persistence and a menthol, charcoal-edged finish that lingers satisfyingly. Drinking Window 2027 - 2035"

JEB DUNNUCK: "One of the standout Margaux, the 2019 Château Brane-Cantenac shows more elegance and finesse in its tannins and structure than most. Giving up a beautifully complex nose of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as cedary spice and spring flowers, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has a seamless mouthfeel, beautiful purity and precision, and a great finish. This is certainly the finest vintage I’ve tasted from this Chateau, surpassing even the 2018, although comparing these two vintages side by side over the coming years will be a true treat. Drink this beauty any time over the coming 20-25 years."

WEINWISSER: "70 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot, 2 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Carmenère, 1 % Petit Verdot. Undurchsichtiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte. Komplexes Bouquet mit exotischen Hölzern, Brasiltabak und ganz viel Cassiswürze, dahinter reife Pflaumen, Schokopralinen und Lakritze. Am eleganten Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und fein stützenden Tanninen, eine unglaubliche Dynamik reisst einen völlig mit. Im gebündelten Finale ein langes Crescendo von Brombeeren und Holundergelee gepaart mit einer energiegeladenen Rasse, die dem Wein eine Finesse par excellence verleiht. Gehört ganz klar in die Spitzenverfolgergruppe von Margaux. Der wird noch zulegen, die 19 Punkte sind in Reichweite."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This shows exotic aromas of blackberries, wet earth, chocolate and fresh basil leaves. It’s full-bodied with round, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Intriguing and real on the palate."