Castle Brane-Cantenac - Margaux 2012

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

It is hard not to give kudos to proprietor Henri Lurton, as he’s done such a great job at this famous estate in Margaux. The 2012 has an opaque ruby/purple color and beautifully sweet, velvety tannins. It had to be more difficult achieving this level in the Médoc in 2012 than in Graves or the Right Bank sectors of Pomerol and St.-Emilion. With a lush, supple texture, medium to full body, and beautiful flowery blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, this opaque wine is pure and impressively endowed. Another beauty from Lurton, it is soft enough to be drunk early on, but promises to age well for 15-20 years.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

A red with mineral, oyster-shell and currant character. Full body, chewy tannins and a long and muscular finish. Needs two or three years to soften. A racy 2012.

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Plush yet focused, with a loam-tinged structure carrying dark plum, blackberry coulis and tobacco notes. Cuts a broad swath through the finish, with an echo of freshly drawn espresso. Solid, with a pleasant old-school twinge. Best from 2016 through 2022. 9,250 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

the12/11/2014

Very dark. Pretty leafy on the nose but that also gives a nice stony character. Dusty like white pepper. Richer and sweeter on the palate, the leafy notes on

the refreshing side. Firm but fluid tannins. (JH)13% Drink 2018-2030

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

the10/23/2014

Very dark. Pretty leafy on the nose but that also gives a nice stony character. Dusty like white pepper. Richer and sweeter on the palate, the leafy notes on the refreshing side. Firm but fluid tannins. (JH) 2018-2030

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

87-90 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2013

Deep red-ruby.  Blackcurrant, licorice and a whiff of smoke on the nose.  Fresh, expressive flavors of redcurrant, tobacco, fresh herbs and bitter chocolate are enlivened by good vinosity.  Finishes with building but ripe tannins, a delicate herbal touch and a restrained sweetness.

timatkin.com

93 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

One of the best wines in Margaux, as it often is, Henri Lurton’s 2012 is typically fragrant, subtle and well judged, expressing its terroir rather than imposing a style on it. Tobacco and cedar wood are balanced by medium weight, granular tannins and refreshing mineral, cassis and red fruit flavours. Drink: 2020-30

Le Point

17,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Nez fruits noirs, mûre, cerise burlat, bon équilibre, bouche suave, fraîche et fine, veloutée. Tanins délicats. Frais et gourmand, concentré et fin, belle maturité élégante et en relief. O= 2017 G= 14 ans.

Asian Palate

88 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/15/2013

Soft, supple red that is easy to enjoy with no rough edges and elegant flavours. Balanced with freshness, a style that Henri Lurton at Brane-Cantenac excels. This elegant wine follows the style of the vintage, with gentle extraction and no rough edges.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013

Tasted thrice at chateau, UGC and negociant, the Brane-Cantenac 2012 is a blend of 32% Merlot and 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and represents 32% of production. It has a slightly muted bouquet with light graphite and mineral notes that need several minutes to really unwind. The palate is medium-bodied with rather abrasive tannins that encase blackberry and raspberry notes with hints of sea salt. It is a conservative Brane-Cantenac and it feels a little raw at the moment. Then again, it often tastes exactly like this en primeur before improving in bottle, so let us see. Tasted April 2013.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Plush, with a legitimate structure buried in the core of steeped plum and blackberry fruit. A warm stone note lurks in the background. Well-rendered. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/29/2013

16,5  //  92    
Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez discret et fruité. Entrée en bouche soyeuse puis le vin se développe juteux sans faiblesse au milieu, avec du goût. À partir du milieu, il devient gras et vient s’achever séveux et long sur une bonne longueur. Son profil est ascendant et fait immanquablement penser à la Bourgogne. Construction très soignée et raffinée, pourrait se révéler encore meilleur en cours d’élevage.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Blending 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot, the wine reached 13% Alcohol with a pH of 3.86. With a cassis, anise, floral, tobacco and earthy personality, the medium-bodied wine is bright, fresh, elegant and crisp with a sweet cassis- and blackberry-filled finish. 90-92 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/26/2013

Très typé, floral, fruits rouges, jolie texture, grain fin, assez long et harmonieux.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

A beauty from Henri Lurton, the 2012 Brane Cantenac exhibits classic notes of spring flowers intermixed with black raspberries, black currants and damp forest floor. This medium-bodied, sweet, ripe, quintessentially elegant, medium-bodied Margaux is nicely concentrated as well as sexy. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.
Drink: 2013 - 2025

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/22/2013

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez discret et fruité. Entrée en bouche soyeuse puis le vin se développe juteux sans faiblesse au milieu, avec du goût. À partir du milieu, il devient gras et vient s’achever séveux et long sur une bonne longueur. Son profil est ascendant et fait immanquablement penser à la Bourgogne. Construction très soignée et raffinée, pourrait se révéler encore meilleur en cours d’élevage.

Decanter.com

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Superb colour, fine floral bouquet, very smooth extraction of fruit and fine, classy, very Margaux texture and length. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)
Drink: 2016 - 2028

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/19/2013

Drink 2020-2034
Dark crimson. Firm, fully ripe palate (contrasts with the lesser appellations of the southern Médoc). Spreads across the palate. Quite lip smacking and well judged. Not too sweet and, just, not too oaky. Broad.

Jamessuckling.com

90-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A wine with currant and berry character. Full body, with chewy tannins that are polished and juicy. Solid core of fruit yet harmonious for the vintage. Like it better than 2011.