Cantenac Brown - Margaux 2012

Wine Advocate

88

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

A rather firmly structured, masculine style of wine in 2012, with a dense, opaque ruby/purple color. The wine reveals a certain angularity, with hard tannin, but medium body and excellent purity. This is certainly a very good 2012 that should age nicely for 12-15 years.

Jamessuckling.com

92

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This is very intense for the vintage in the Médoc with blueberry, mineral and blackcurrant character. Full and chewy. Needs two or three years to soften but already there.

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

This red offers beguiling aromas of bergamot, roasted sandalwood and black tea, before giving way to a well-endowed core of plum, blackberry and raspberry reduction notes. The structure is remarkably fine-grained, showing seamless integration through the long finish. A really great showing. Best from 2017 through 2025. 8,500 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe12/11/2014

Dark crimson. First aroma is sweet oak spice, a hint of coffee, but leafy, then dark fruit to back it up. Restraint and finesse on the palate. Tight, dry and cool. Mouthwatering and rather linear at the moment. (JH)13.5% Drink 2020-2030

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

88-91

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Bright medium ruby.  Inviting aromas of blueberry, blackcurrant, dark plum and coffee, along with a strong mineral quality.  The palate delivers excellent cut and precision, showing a hint of wildness to the dark berry and mineral flavors.  Finishes with fine-grained tannins and refreshing acid lift, on a very pure blackcurrant note.  Cantenac-Brown is riding high: starting with the 2008 vintage, I find all the wines made here to have been of outstanding quality.

Le Point

16,5

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Nez gelée de mûre, sureau, bouche opulente enveloppante, dense, bien équilibré, tanins moelleux et très fruits noirs, très séduisant, long, puissant et gourmand. O= 2017 G= 14 ans.

Wine Advocate

89-91

byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013

Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, the Cantenac Brown has plenty of blackcurrant and raspberry fruit on the nose with fine definition and nicely integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky, rigid tannins. It is quite a masculine, almost Saint Julien like Margaux but there is certainly respectable persistency on the peppery finish. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

91-94

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Pure, ripe and engaging, with lovely notes of floral and bergamot leading to a core of succulent plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit. A good underpinning of iron is buried on the finish. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,25

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/29/2013

16,25  //  91    Couleur sombre, de bonne intensité. Nez parfumé et crémeux. Bouche juteuse et dense, parfumée et séveuse, évoluant sur un milieu bien formé et une finale au tanin gras, de bonne longueur et savoureuse.

Wine Advocate

90-93

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

The 2012 Cantenac Brown, one of the most impressive Margaux I tasted, is the complete package – from the initial attack to the layered, rich finish. Dense ruby/purple-hued with notes of licorice, mulberries, black currants, asphalt and spring flowers, this medium to full-bodied, concentrated, rich effort does not reveal an excess of rusticity or astringency. It should drink well for 10-15 years. This under-the-radar chateau never receives much attention even though it is the beneficiary of a new, conscientious proprietor.Drink: 2013 - 2028

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-93

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Soft textured, with sweet cherries, floral notes, plum and earth, the wine ends with a mélange of red and black fruits. 90-93 Pts

Decanter.com

16,75

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Dense colour, masses of ripe cassis fruit, ripe tannins, a robust flavourful wine. 16.75/20pts ( 89/100pts)Drink: 2016 - 2025

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,25

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/22/2013

Couleur sombre, de bonne intensité. Nez parfumé et crémeux. Bouche juteuse et dense, parfumée et séveuse, évoluant sur un milieu bien formé et une finale au tanin gras, de bonne longueur et savoureuse.

Jancis Robinson

16

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2013

Drink 2020-2030Very discreet nose. Sweet start and nicely balanced but not especially distinctive. Ticks the boxes. Rather drying oak on the end.

Wine Enthusiast

92-94

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2013

Barrel sample. A solid effort, this is a wine with great fruit and firm structure to support it. Ripe and full in the mouth, it’s a firm and complex wine with a delicious juicy aftertaste

New Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2013

High intensity, some purple-deep red, quite intense aromatically also, very much black spectrum cassis and fig, some good smoky bacon oak. Tiny bit sour on the mid palate but actually I quite like this, happy that they have gone for dark spectrum of fruits, and a very pleasing level of ripeness, just poised not pruney. Can definitely see the potential here. Needs to soften, one of the few that you feel is not an early drinker. Highly recommended. Drink 2023-2040.

Jamessuckling.com

90-91

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

Solid core of berry and dried fruits on the palate with chocolate, coffee bean and spices. Full body, with chewy tannins and a long finish. Intense.