Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Margaux 2022
Country: France Region: Bordeaux (Margaux)
Varietal: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 3% other varietals
Vintage: 2022 Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Château Brane-Cantenac
Producer Description:
Henri Lurton, the proprietor here, has been working to improve quality in the vineyard with regrafting of Merlot to high quality Cabernet Sauvignon as they look to keep freshness and structure in the wines. The vineyard is now planted with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% split between Petit Verdot and Carmenère. Recent vintages have been outstanding and this property is now producing the best wines in Margaux behind the superstars of Château Margaux, Palmer and Rauzan Ségla.
99/100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
"An undeniable star in Margaux, the 2022 Château Brane-Cantenac checks in as a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% each Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a sensational perfume of darker currants and cassis that gives way to more floral, spicy oak and graphite nuances with air. With flawless overall balance, ripe, velvety tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish, this riveting Brane-Cantenac already offers pleasure, yet I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up with 4-5 years of bottle age, only to re-emerge later and drink beautifully for 30+ years. It's one of the truly greats in the appellation, and readers will love to have this beauty in the cellar. (Drink between 2035-2065)"
98/100 Points - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
"The 2022 Brane-Cantenac has another very intense bouquet: black cherries, red plum, camphor, crushed stone and a touch of melted tar on a hot summer's day. Again, very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Very pliant, with beautiful purity of fruit, harmonious and poised, with a peacock's tail on the finish. The best Brane-Cantenac ever made. Period. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London. Drink 2030-2065."
98/100 Points - Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com
"Deep plum colour, touch of grilled campfire smoke on the aromatics, good lift through the finish, this is so enjoyable, clearly skilled and full of joy. One of the wines of the vintage, totally delivers on En Primeur beauty."
97/100 Points - James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com
"So aromatic with blackcurrant, blueberry and violet aromas that follow through to a medium body with ultrafine tannins that are extremely integrated and refined and go on for minutes. Some lead pencil and stone at the end. Very complex and subtle for the vintage. 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere. Drink after 2029 and beyond."
Tasting Notes:
Chateau Brane Cantenac 2022 is Henri Lurton’s crowning achievement, a wine of brilliance and poise. Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, it delivers cassis, dark currants, cocoa, liquorice and rose petals with floral lift and graphite precision. Silky tannins frame ripe, concentrated fruit balanced by freshness and clarity. With high scores from the critics, it combines power, finesse and decades of ageing potential. Brane Cantenac 2022 is a landmark Margaux, hailed as one of the vintage’s greatest.
Food Pairing:
Charcuterie, Cured cheeses, Red meat
