Château Brane Cantenac, 2ème Cru Classé, Margaux, 2018
Henri Lurton's magnificent second growth Chateau in Margaux has been on a fine run of form. The 2018 is an exceptional effort, one that may even eclipse the superb 2015 and 2016. This is quintessential Margaux; all fragrance and purity of fruit. The bouquet offers notes of potpourri, griotte liqueur and Chambord - this is so seductive and nuanced. It is very distinguished with a real sense of nobility. Pure, decadent fruits wash over the palate - this is so finely textured and beautifully transparent. There's good weight of fruit; polished, sensual, sweet blackberries, toast and sweet spice. We were so impressed by the focus, precision and vibrancy of the fruit - it engages and coats the palate without any heaviness. The tannins are salty and lithe, packed with distinguished fruity detail. A harmonious and gorgeously textured Brane. 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. 13.4% Alcohol.
critic reviews
The 2018 Brane-Cantenac is like other Bordeaux wines in this vintage insofar as they are not evolving as well as, say, 2016s or 2019s. The fruit is concentrated but just lacks a little delineation, though it opens in the glass with touches of white pepper and black olive. The palate is medium-bodied and lightly spiced, with fleshy ripe tannins that provide a rounded, corpulent texture, but I seek more tension and mineralité on the finish. I actually now prefer the 2017 vintage to the 2018. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.
Red-ruby with vivid reflections, still young, primary with fully ripe berry fruits, set off by crayon, graphite, pomegranate and liquorice, nowhere near its drinking window. Great quality, takes the foot off to the pedal when it needs to. Harvest September 17 to October 11, 45.1hl/h yield, 70% new French oak for ageing, 3.78ph, excellent summer after tough mildew pressure early in the season. Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director.
Brane-Cantenac 2018 is deep garnet purple in color. It offers a perfumed nose of lilacs and spice box, over a core of warm cassis, preserved plums, and forest floor, with a hint of crushed rocks. Full-bodied, rich, and with wonderfully velvety tannins, it has a lively backbone and a very long mineral-tinged finish.
Generous yet balanced, plenty to sink your teeth into here, this is a Brane Cantenac that knows exactly where it is going, and that has kept a Margaux effortlessness even in the heat and drought of the summer. You feel the warmth in telltale sweetness of the fruits - blackberry puree, cassis fruit pastilles, plenty of bitter black chocolate and liqourice, but it never loses its juice, and keeps momentum through the palate. No Carmenère in the blend in this vintage. 45hl/ha yield. 70% new oak. Harvest from 17 September to 11 October.