Bordeaux 2024: Chateau Brane Cantenac

Henri Lurton’s Brane-Cantenac is once again shaping up to be a real gem, to paraphrase Antonio Galloni, comfortably ranking amongst our top wines of Margaux. There’s a brightness and vitality to the fruit, with wonderful precision allied to a charming texture. With all of the grapes for the Grand Vin coming from the prized plateau, they achieved good ripeness and the tannins are beautifully judged, all suggestive of a wide drinking window, ready to go relatively soon after bottling yet with excellent ageing potential like the best of classic clarets. Offered at just £213 per six, we think this is a super price for one of the highest performing wines of the Médoc.

“Deep garnet-purple colored. Slowly unfurls in the glass to reveal fragrant notes of warm red plums, kirsch, and strawberry pie, plus hints of mossy tree bark and black olives. The light to medium-bodied palate is plush and refreshing with impressive intensity and a perfumed finish. Pretty!” 93-95/100 – Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent

“Tons of energy, stone fruits, cherry pits, damson, a lovely feeling of fruit that has plenty of life ahead it, fresh and juicy with sapidity. not trying too hard just full of pleasure. Edge of grilled campfire, graphite, generosity, easily one of the wines of the vintage. 11.3% press wine, 3.53pH, 46.6hl/ha yield. Harvest 17 September to 8 October, 80% new oak for ageing.” 95/100 – Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com

“The 2024 Brane-Cantenac is shaping up to be a gem. Blood orange, crushed flowers, spice, mint and chalk confer notable brightness. The 2024 is marked by a strong red-fruit character, bright acids and mid-weight structure, all of which make for a super-classic, if somewhat nervy, Brane-Cantenac. There's quite a bit of potential here. Tasted two times. Drink 2032-2049.” 93-95/100 – Antonio Galloni, vinous.com