Château Brane Cantenac, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux, 2020

Name: Château Brane Cantenac, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux
Brand: Château Brane-Cantenac
Price: 321.53 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2012 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

justerini & brooks tasting note

“Concentration” is Henri Lurton’s word for 2020. After 50 days without rain, it’s no surprise that Brane has an intense colour and a deep core of fruit, however, what makes the 2020 so special is that it marries the characteristics of the vintage with the sumptuous style of this terroir. Beautifully perfumed fruit, notes of coal, crème de cassis, griotte, gentle spices, this is a pure and very seductive nose. On the palate, while serious and more profound than the 2019, it retains the classic Brane charm; refined, sophisticated with a generosity of fruit that feels like velvet on the palate. Pure crème de mûre, mulberry, notes of dark chocolate, very impressive and long, the fruit is sweet, fresh and vital. The tannin management is impeccable, they caress the palate with notes of cocoa nibs, and bramble fruit, providing length and definition on the saline finish. Delicious! 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère.

critic reviews

95/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2020 Brane-Cantenac is cut from a similar cloth to the 2019 rather than the 2018. Quite strict at first, it opens with blackberry, cedar and tobacco notes, veering strongly towards Pauillac as Brane-Cantenac is wont to do. The nose has wonderful delineation but is certainly less expressive than the 2019 at the moment. The palate is very well balanced with silky-smooth tannins and perfectly judged acidity. Sapid and focused with plenty of grip on the finish, this supremely gifted wine will require patience, but it will be worth it. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2055

date of review 09/2025

96/100Jane Anson,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Slate tannins, a ton of character, this is a great wine, epitome of classified Médoc, stately, powerful, juicy, mouthwatering, serious. Cocoa bean, crayon, liquorice, pencil lead, mint, cassis. Ticks all the boxes. Harvest September 14 to 30, ph 3.71, 100% new oak for ageing, 30.8hl/h yield, Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2046

date of review 09/2025

94/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown,The Wine Independent

The 2020 Brane-Cantenac is deep garnet-purple in color. It gallops out with energetic scents of black and red currant preserves, fresh boysenberries, and candied violets, plus wafts of bay leaves and graphite. The medium-bodied palate shimmers with vibrant black and red berry flavors, supported by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and earthy.

DRINKING WINDOW 2026 - 2045

date of review 03/2023

91/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

This is super enjoyable, aged entirely in 85hl oak casks, fresh and unfussy but maintaining appellation signature, with a savoury edge of smoke, raspberry leaf and red cherry, soft tannins even at this early stage. Bottled under this name since 2014, replacing Chateau Nioton.

DRINKING WINDOW 2023 - 2032

date of review 02/2023