Cantenac Brown - Margaux 2018

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe3/31/2021

The 2018 Cantenac Brown is fabulous. Dark rich and expansive, the 2018 wraps around the palate with stunning depth. Dark red/black fruit, iron, cedar, chocolate, dried herbs and a whole range of earthy notes are pushed forward as this ample Margaux shows off its considerable allure. The 2018 is a big, rich wine. Give it at least a few years to fully come together.

Wine Advocate

92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/31/2021

The 2018 Cantenac Brown has a medium to deep garnet-purple color, wafting gently out of the glass with fragrant scents of redcurrant jelly, Morello cherries, plum preserves and fresh blackcurrants, plus suggestions of red roses, cedar chest and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate (13.5% declared alcohol) has a sturdy frame of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the delicately styled red and black fruit flavors, finishing savory. 92+

Jeb DUNNUCK

92

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/16/2021

A classic, elegant Margaux based on roughly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot (I don't know the exact blend), the 2018 Château Cantenac Brown offers up a pretty perfume of red and black currants, sandalwood, dried flowers, and cedar pencil. It's not the most powerful or concentrated wine in the vintage, yet it has fine tannins as well as a wonderfully balanced, classical style. I suspect it will benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for 20-25 years.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95

byJeff Levethe3/16/2021

Concentrated, lush, voluptuously-textured, perfectly ripe, deep, dark opulent fruits are all over the place in the nose and on the palate. Full-bodied, velvet textured with intensity, length and richness, give this at least 7 or more years of aging and this will be a gorgeous wine for the following 2 decades. The wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot.

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe3/12/2021

The 2018 Cantenac Brown was deeply impressive when I tasted it from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a splendid, sophisticated bouquet of black fruit, light tobacco notes and a touch of violet and crushed stone; there is wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and very cohesive from start to finish, with fine-grained tannins, superb mineralité and a disarming sense of tension that lingers on the aftertaste. This is a benchmark Cantenac Brown that comes highly recommended.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/1/2021

Shows a touch of dark earth out front, with a mix of smoldering tobacco, espresso crema and singed alder notes before the core of warmed plum and blackberry reduction flavors finally starts to unwind. Just a touch burly for a Margaux, but certainly lots to like here and ample range and length. Time will likely add that last bit of refinement. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036. 10,000 cases made. –JM

Falstaff

95

byPeter Moserthe1/29/2021

Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Attraktives Bukett nach Cassis und Lakritze, angenehmer Edelholzanklang, ein Hauch von Valrhona-Schokolade, süße orientalische Gewürze. Saftig, komplex, dunkle Kirschen, feines Brombeerkonfit, seidige, völlig integrierte Tannine, mineralische Frische im Abgang, wirkt leichtfüssig, gut anhaftend, großes Zukunftsversprechen. (2020 - 2050)

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe1/26/2021

Shows a touch of dark earth out front, with a mix of smoldering tobacco, espresso crema and singed alder notes before the core of warmed plum and blackberry reduction flavors finally starts to unwind. Just a touch burly for a Margaux, but certainly lots to like here and ample range and length. Time will likely add that last bit of refinement. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2036. 10,000 cases made. — JM

Yvesbeck.wine

96

byYves Beckthe1/26/2021

Cantenac Brown 2018 brille par son aptitude à si bien laisser cohabiter intensité et délicatesse. En effet, il révèle un peu de son élevage, un peu de sa fraîcheur et beaucoup de son fruit. En bouche c'est, d'abord, son côté élancé qui surprend. Ce dernier est tout à fait pertinent et il s'allie bien avec des tannins subtils qui se révèlent lentement. L'intensité fruitée est omniprésente, dès l'attaque et jusqu'en finale. Un vin prometteur, invitant et convaincant.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/11/2021

Rich and polished aromas of blueberry, lavender, dark chocolate, hazelnut and sweet tobacco. It’s full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Creamy layers of ripe fruit and wood. Long and caressing. Lovely ripe fruit in the center palate. Try from 2024.

Wine Enthusiast

95

byRoger Vossthe1/5/2021

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe11/15/2019

The 2018 Cantenac Brown has a sophisticated, engaging bouquet intense, mineral-driven black fruit. This is very classy and evidences prudent use of new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, superb acidity, impressive harmony and a silky-smooth texture that belies the depth and persistence of this outstanding Margaux. José Sanfins and his team have overseen a -brilliant Cantenac Brown that comes highly recommended.

Vinous

93-96

byAntonio Gallonithe5/1/2019

The 2018 Cantenac Brown is powerful, deep and super expressive, with striking persistence and terrific overall balance. The interplay of fruit intensity, aromatic depth and structure is compelling. In the 2018, the Grand Vin has a bit more Cabernet Sauvignon than in the past, plus drops of Franc, that give an added touch of energy. There is plenty of density and richness, but my impression is that the wine is also a bit less extracted than it has been in the recent past. The blend is 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Tasted three times.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe5/1/2019

This is delicious, silky in texture and filled with luscious black fruits, exotic spiced liquorice and sweet blackberry. Touches of grilled cedar and just a trace of heat appear at the final furlong, along with a hint of menthol. The tannins close their fist around the fruit, reflecting the small berry size in the Cabernets, the percentage of which is slightly up this year as new plantings have come on line. It's an impressive construction, a little less elegant than the 2016 but with a ton of personality and a sense of bursting out of its borders, not yet fully tamed - and hugely appealing as a result.
60% new oak barrels. Harvested 18 September to 11 October.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2042

Vinifera

92-94

byJacques Perrinthe5/1/2019

Baies noires, touche de poivre, graphite, nez assez racé, on devine de beaux Cabernet. Attaque fine et civilisée, belle pulpe, vin classique, style sûr, très beau milieu de bouche et finale qui irradie. C'est très bon.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96

byJeff Levethe4/23/2019

Flowers, Maraschino cherries, smoke, espresso and thyme on the nose piques your interest. On the palate, however, it is the silky, polished, vital, spicy red fruits that hit the spot. Part of this allure comes from the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in this year's blend. This wine is going to need at least 6-8 years of aging before it even begins to ready itself for drinking. Produced from blending 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the wine reached 13.6% alcohol and the harvest took place September 18 to October 2.

Wine Advocate

91-93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/23/2019

The 2018 Cantenac Brown is deep garnet-purple in color and a little coy to begin and then, with coaxing, opens out to lovely red roses, black tea, violets and underbrush scents with a core of warm red and black currants and chocolate-covered cherries. Full-bodied and laden with perfumed red and black fruit layers, it has a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and a long, fragrant finish.

Wine Enthusiast

95-97

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2019

This is a rich wine, full of generous black fruits and ripe tannins that give it both a powerful yet stylish nature. Its weight comes from the fine black fruit flavor, with fine acidity to the cut fruitiness.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/12/2019

This CB has an extremely energetic palate with beautiful elegance and power. Pure and bright. Really lively. Firm and chewy tannins.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

94

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/8/2019

Wine Spectator

94-97

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2019

Winey and dark in profile, with steeped currant, plum and blackberry fruit, buttressed by ganache, smoldering tobacco and warm earth notes. Accents of bay leaf, alder and mineral are in reserve. Delivers a beguiling feel despite the concentration. A very strong showing

Yvesbeck.wine

95-96

byYves Beckthe4/1/2019

69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc
Pourpre violacé. Que de finesse et de complexité ! Cantenac-Brown affiche tout de suite qu’il est content d’être là ! Bouquet aux multiples facettes avec des notes de baies noires, de la fraîcheur et une bien belle aptitude à refléter son terroir. Mise en bouche fruitée et crémeuse. Au palais le vin a de l’ampleur, de la douceur et du caractère. Les tannins sont puissants et se révèlent en fin de bouche afin d’accentuer l’assise du vin. La structure assure l’expression aromatique et confère de la fraîcheur jusqu’en finale. A nouveau une très belle réussite ! 2024-2043