Brane Cantenac - Margaux 2021

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024

The first thing that I notice on the 2021 Brane-Cantenac is that the color is conspicuously deeper than that of the Deuxième Vin. The nose has exquisite, very pure and delineated scents of raspberry and blackcurrant, with a touch of pencil box and cedar.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe2/28/2024

The 2021 Brane-Cantenac is a classy, elegant wine. The aromatics alone are so enticing. Crushed flowers, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, rose petal and cedar open first. The 74% Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit higher than in most years, which comes through in the wine's aromatic and structural profile. The 2021 is quiet and understated. Élevage was 18 months in 100% new French oak, but the wood is not at all evident—an important and positive sign regarding the wine's overall balance. Even so, the 2021 is a subdued Brane-Cantenac, one that needs time in bottle to shine at its brightest.

Wine Advocate

93

byWilliam Kelleythe2/22/2024

The 2021 Brane-Cantenac offers up aromas of sweet dark berries mingled with mint, vanilla pod and spices. It shows its élevage and malolactic fermentation in new oak more prominently than it did en primeur. Medium to full-bodied, with good depth and concentration, it's bright and velvety, with plenty of structuring barrel tannin and a vanillin-inflected finish. The quality of Brane's terroirs and a strict selection shows through, so if it can digest its oak more completely, this will prove exceptional.

Jamessuckling.com

95

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2024

N°58 TOP 100 JS FRANCE 
Beautiful finesse here that shows currants, roasted red chili pepper and a hint of charcoal, mineral and pencil shavings. Very refined and layered with a juicy, medium body and a long, composed finish. Classy and very layered. Drink or hold.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe12/6/2023

One of the few with violet reflections to the ruby colour, with austerity and cool vintage expression of blueberry and raspberry fruits, well defined and sculpted, good juice and lift, impressive purity and power, with a sandalwood swirl of 100% new oak for ageing. Harvest September 23 to October 7, 41hl/h yield.

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe6/8/2022

A medium-bodied, very polished Brane-Cantenac with firm yet fine and textured tannins. Deep and compact core of black fruit, herbs and spices. Pretty licorice and clove notes. Structured and long. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 2% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and 1% carmenere.

Jeb DUNNUCK

92-94

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/2/2022

I loved the 2021 Château Brane-Cantenac, and I'd put this up with the top wines in the appellation. Medium-bodied, silky, and pure, with considerable elegance, it has lots of red and black fruits, some floral and herbal, tobacco nuances, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's a quintessential Margaux with its complexity and nuance.

Bettane & Desseauve

93-94

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/24/2022

Dégusté uniquement au château. Ensemble harmonieux qui gagnera rapidement en forme et en précision, déjà abouti sauf sur le plan aromatique, délicatement floral. Tannin fin et bien intégré.

Alexandre Ma

93-95

byAlexandre Mathe5/16/2022

The toasty aromas of Brane-Cantenac are more pronounced this year. But on the palate, it still delivers a matured and sophisticated expression as usual, without any trace of the 2021's character. I really like the texture of the tannins, possesive yet ingenious, combined with a mellow density on the taste buds. This is not only a credit to R'pulse maceration, but also to the winery's near-frenzied selection of the press wine. Christophe, the technical director, told me that they have blended the best 12.7% from more than 100 samples into the Grand Vin, and eventually resulted in this surprising Brane-Cantenac 2021. I look forward to seeing how it performs after being bottled. Brane-Cantenac???????????????,??????,?????????,???????2021??????????????????,???????,???????????????R’pulse???,?????????????????????Christophe???,?????100????????????????12.7%???????,?????????Brane-Cantenac2021?????????????

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/16/2022

Tobacco, roses, currants and bouquet garni kick off the perfume. The wine is soft, fresh, medium-bodied, and quite charming, as well as vibrant, finishing with a touch of spice on top of all the sweet red fruits you find on the backend. You will be able to enjoy this on release. The wine blends 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere 12.7% ABV. The harvest took place September 23-October 7. Drink from 2023-2045 92-94

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

byJane Ansonthe5/13/2022

Vinous

92-94

byNeal Martinthe5/12/2022

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.

Vinous

93-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2022

The 2021 Brane-Cantenac notably marries fruit intensity with energy and structure. There is an exotic richness to the 2021 that is impossible to miss. Kirsch, red plum, blood orange, cinnamon, new leather and spice all meld together. The 2021 is bold, sumptuous and alluring. There is certainly a lot to look forward to. The oak needs to fully integrate, but that is what élevage is for. Brane-Cantenac was impressive on both occasions I tasted it.

vvwine

94-96

byAdrian Van Velsenthe5/10/2022

Komplexe Nase, noch dezent vom Holz geprägt, tiefgründig und rein, sehr feiner Cassisduft, Kirschen, Gräser, florale Noten, ein Hit. Im Gaumen elegant, anfangs leicht cremig, wird dann immer straffer, messerscharf, elegant, mit feinkörnigem Tannin, einer ungemein knackigen Frucht und sehr schöner aromatischer Länge. Das ist ein tänzerischer Brane, der früh Spass machen kann, jedoch nicht zu unterschätzen ist in Sachen Potential. 2027-2048+ (Verkostet im April 2022. Château Brane-Cantenac)

Wine Advocate

93-95

byWilliam Kelleythe4/29/2022

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.