Baron de Brane, Margaux, 2022
This Merlot dominated blend is always one of our favourite second wines. The result of the longest harvest ever (from early September to mid-October), this displays a lovely core of sweet, fragrant fruit, vibrant and unpretentious, it finishes with bright acidity and well-judged tannins. Very agreeable and will give much early drinking pleasure.
critic reviews
The 2022 Baron de Brane aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 15% new. It has a pretty bouquet, featuring light blackcurrant and cedar scents. It’s understated at first but with fine delineation and gathering pace with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a keen line of acidity, touches of black pepper and saline/black olive compote notes towards the finish. This should drink after just a few months bottling and give 12 to 15 years' of drinking pleasure.
A blend of 65% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Baron de Brane has a pH of 3.57 and the press wine had 13.4% alcohol. It is deep garnet-purple in color and notes of fresh blackberries, wild blueberries, and blackcurrant jelly leap from the glass, giving way to nuances of chocolate mint and lavender. The medium-bodied palate delivers vibrant black fruit layers, with fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced.
Clear fig and dried fruit notes, but this also has extremely clear freshness and lift, and opens up to show baked earth, pomegranate, tar and black chocolate. Gourmet, well handled. 38% of production. 30th vintage for Henri Lurton at Brane, 31hl/h yield, harvest September 7 to October 10 (last day was the Carmanère). They only used press wine from Cabernet Sauvignon this year (something that has only been true once before), 3.57ph.
Exhibiting aromas of ripe berries, loamy soil and a subtle hint of sweet saddle leather, the 2022 Baron de Brane is medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, with a layered core of fruit, velvety tannins and a long, sapid finish.