Brane Cantenac - Margaux 2023

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

This is really structured, with intense tannins that run the length of the wine and give it verve and vibe. Medium-bodied with lovely berry, light vanilla and currant flavors. The tannins are exceptional. This is a very structured Margaux that needs three or four years to come around. Best after 2028.

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe11/4/2025

The 2023 Brane-Cantenac was born the year that Lucien Lurton, who oversaw 34 vintages, passed away. There is a touch of reduction on the nose that soon dissipates, revealing quite detailed blackberry, bay leaf and crushed stone scents that perhaps do not quite have the pixelation of the 2022, yet are very pure and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins and a keen line of acidity, bright and fresh with a judicious touch of spice on the finish. Very refined and elegant, this is a worthy follow-up to the 2022, but fashioned in a different style. Excellent. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.

My Bettane + Desseauve

95-96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Tout en finesse et en subtilité, grain de tannin inimitable, il cache son corps sous une tendresse de texture trompeuse mais il ira loin, avec la superbe et la classe dont le cru est capable.

Yvesbeck.wine

95-97

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Brane-Cantenac ist von seiner Reifung gut geprägt und betont seine Komplexität auch in einem holzigen Kontext. Im Laufe der Minuten sind es die Frische und die fruchtigen Nuancen, die die Oberhand gewinnen und sich vor den Holznoten positionieren. Die erfrischenden Minznuancen kombiniert mit Noten von reifen dunklen Beeren sowie blumigen Nuancen bilden eine überzeugende Symbiose. Der Wein ist dicht und charmant im Auftakt und lädt mit seinem seidigen Charakter, seiner Tiefe, seinen samtenen Tanninen und seiner erfrischenden Säurestruktur ein, die wie ein freies Elektron wirkt und dem Wein eine linearere Seite verleiht, ohne seiner verführerischen Natur entgegenzuwirken. Ein authentischer Brane Cantenac, kraftvoll, schmeichelnd, harmonisch, köstlich und mit dem nötigen Schwung im Abgang, um die Frische des Weines zu unterstreichen.

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023 Château Brane-Cantenac, an incredibly impressive Margaux that does everything right. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity, as well as its balance, and it should need just 4-5 years of bottle age to show its potential. Tasted twice.

The Wine Independent

94-96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/7/2024

The 2023 Brane-Cantenac is deep garnet-purple in color. Scents of blackcurrant jelly, boysenberries, and black raspberries slowly emerge from the glass, giving way to notions of charcoal, pencil lead, and a waft of tree bark. The medium-bodied palate has a solid structure of racy acidity and firm, ripe, grainy tannins supporting the tightly wound black and red fruit flavors, finishing on a lingering mineral note. The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, with pH 3.59.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Cuban cigars, cedar, cassis, spice, forest floor, and flowers open the perfume. On the palate, the wine shines with its silky textures, vibrancy, and hints of salty rocks that ride along effortlessly, with its layers of, sweet, ripe, black with red fruits. There is length, and refinement. Taking close to 1 month to harvest is what the difference with 2023. This is another vintage that Brane Cantenac lovers should have in their cellars. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere. 13.5% ABV, 3.77 pH. The harvest took place September 4 - October 2. The Grand Vin was produced from only 40% of the harvest. Drink from 2029-2055. 95-97 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

96

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

A great aromatic hit on the opening beats, giving way to silky tannins, spiced plum, rhubarb and slate, cassis and bilberry fruit, all showing depth and intensity. Such an accomplished wine, once again showing how it's done. 100% new oak for malolactic and ageing, 8 coopers, 28 different toasts. 45.7hl/h yields, which is generous for this vintage in the Margaux appellation. Harvest September 14 to October 2. 3.59ph.

Vinous

94-96

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a sensual, silky wine. There's plenty of depth and structure behind that, but the first impression is most definitely one of elegance. Crushed flowers, spice and dried herbs meld into a core of super-expressive, dark, red-toned fruit. The 100% new oak is impeccably balanced within the wine’s frame. Brane-Cantenac remains one of the best relative values in Bordeaux, or anywhere, for that matter. This is a fine effort from proprietor Henri Lurton and his team. Tasted two times.

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Brane-Cantenac was picked from September 4 to October 2 at 45.7hL/ha with the highest IPT (Indice de Polyphénols Totaux, a measurement of tannin) ever with respect to the Merlot, which underwent some saignée in tank. Matured entirely in new oak, it has wonderful delineation on the nose, quite floral with pressed violets infusing the lifted black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky-smooth entry and a silver bead of acidity. Pure black fruit infused with graphite lends this Pauillac-like attributes, sustained on the finish, as usual. This is a very classical Brane-Cantenac— a worthy follow-up to the 2022.

Falstaff

95

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Dark ruby, purple reflections. Delicate floral nuances, cassis, fresh wild berries, in- viting bouquet, medium complexity, elegant, finely structured, fine tannins, balanced and well adhering, shows good typicity, a promising food wine.

Alexandre Ma

97-98

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Wine Advocate

93-95

byWilliam Kelleythe4/26/2024

The 2023 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot (which saw some saignée), 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot, and it completed its malolactic fermentation in barrels as has been the rule at this estate since the 1990s. Offering up aromas of dark cherries, cassis and spices framed by creamy new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a creamy core of fruit and a long, gently lactic finish.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

This shows very pretty fruit and ultra-fine tannins that have an almost al-dente sense to them. It has a medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. The tannin quality is exceptional.

Decanter.com

96

byGeorgina Hindlethe4/9/2024

Very aromatic, gorgeous florality on the nose, so inviting and welcoming. Really open and generous - roses, violets, peonies, red cherries and strawberries. Supple and juicy, instantly quite pretty and fun, a lively bright aspect to the red fruits - cranberry, crisp green apple, raspberry and strawberry then the fine tannins come into play and give the structure and the focus to the finish. It’s a little less plush than Brane is normally - usually more gentle, fleshy and smooth - this is a little two-toned with influence from the new oak in the tightness but there’s great potential here. Feels a bit more like a St-Julien expression - calm, relaxed, smooth, intentional, juicy and lifted. Less charming right now, more tense and precise. Ageing 18 months, 100 new oak. 13.7% press wine. 40% grand vin production.