Château Brane Cantenac, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux, 2017
Tasted twice with equally impressive notes. There's a wild element to the bouquet, sap, meadow flowers infused with ripe cassis and cranberries. The palate is awash with polished raspberry liqueur, black cherry and loganberry. There's plenty of weight, but this is not heavy, it floats across the palate with weightless ease. This is beautifully constructed, juicy yet gentle, finely worked tannins and a peacock's tail of floral fruit on the fine boned tannins. Classic Brane.
critic reviews
2017 was the year in which three hectares were planted with white varieties. The 2017 Brane-Cantenac has a slightly leaner nose compared to vintages either side, more marine-influenced with oyster shell and kelp infusing the black fruit, but finely delineated. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. This feels lightly spiced and harmonious, quite "gentle" for the château with a judicious touch of cracked black pepper than enhances the finish. Fine. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.
Soft crushed rose petals, this is remarkably open and ready at 8 years old when you look at the rest of the vertical - definitely one for early drinking, still delivering charm, character and balance. Expect silky tannins, crushed raspberry puree, good quality. Harvest September 14 to October 2, 31.3hl/h yield, 3.6ph, 70% new French oak for ageing. Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director.