Chateau Cantenac Brown 2015

DECANTER: "Plump fruit, rich raspberry puree and cassis flavours, layered through with chocolate and grilled cedar. This was the same score as I gave it when tasting in barrel in October 2017. Things have closed down a little since then, as this is heading into its dumb phase, but it's clearly extremely well structured and all the elements are in place for a long future. So wait to open, but this is a complex, nuanced Cantenac. 51% of production in the 1st wine, 60% new oak. Harvest September 17 to October 8. Drinking Window 2025 - 2045"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Just a few months of aging since this was last tasted has added more aromatic development. Now, you find dark, red fruits, chocolate mint, wet earth, flowers, espresso and a touch of mint. Full bodied, concentrated and silky, the wine paints your palate with fruit, velvet textured tannins and freshness. The wine sticks with you as it lingers on your palate."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "94–96. Barrel Sample. Beautiful dusty tannins permeate this ripe wine. It has a smooth and rich texture, with bright blackberry flavors and a refreshing, vibrant close."

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING:"The blueberries, blackberries and fresh violets come through nicely on the nose. Full body with round, juicy tannins. Hints of vanilla. Lots of ripe fruit. A little tight now. Try after 2022."

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Ein Traumbouquet, absolut faszinierend, zeigt viel Süsse und auch eine hochreife Frucht im Nasenbild. Im Gaumen aussen cremig und innen mit einer gehörigen Fleischration. Gehört zu den besten Jahrgängen von Cantenac-Brown und davon gab es bisher nicht besonders viele. Vergleichbar mit 2000 und 2010!"

JEB DUNNUCK: "Readers who need more proof that Margaux was the place to be in 2015 just need to taste the 2015 Château Cantenac Brown. Based on roughly 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot it offers an extraordinary nose of crème de cassis, caramelized cherries, flowers, and spices. This medium to full-bodied effort has plenty of tannins, as well as toasty oak, yet is perfectly balanced and has a great mix of both freshness and richness. It’s a tour de force that will be drinkable in 4-5 years and last for 25-30 years!"

WINE SPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR: “This brims with voluble plum cake, boysenberry and blackberry compote flavors, embedded with brambly structure while keeping a polished feel overall. Alluring black tea, roasted alder and licorice details line the finish. You'll want to jump on this one. Best from 2022 through 2035."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Einladendes Bukett nach Edelholz, Nougat, feines Brombeerkonfit, reife Kirschen, zart nach Orangenzesten. Saftig, extraktsüßte Textur, eingebundene reife Tannine, gute Frische, süßer Abgang nach reifen Herzkirschen, ein eleganter Speisenbegleiter mit Potenzial."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2015 Cantenac Brown is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a nose of cherry cola, cassis and warm plums with touches of spice box and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate sports a lot of oak, with very firm and chewy tannins and a woody finish."