Château Brane-Cantenac – Margaux de Brane (Margaux de Henri Lurton) 2018 (750ml) For Sale

Description

Château Brane-Cantenac – Margaux de Brane (Margaux de Henri Lurton) 2018 (750ml)

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, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenere with the remainder Merlot. The classic 2018 has a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon – 74% – with 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernt Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

Tasting notes

The Margaux de Brane Margaux Rouge is a silky, fruit driven wine with impressive roundness and red fruit flavors that is accessible in style. Aromas of strawberry with subtle floral notes, the palate is fruit driven, has impressive roundness and flavours of red cherry and raspberry with notes of vanilla with a touch of earthy nuances.

The 2018 Brane-Cantenac was picked from September 17 until October 11 at 45hl/ha, and aged in 70% new French oak. As I wrote in my barrel report, the bouquet is more forthcoming than other vintages, scents of blackberry, cranberry, fern and mint lending it a Pauillac touch, as you often find on Brane-Cantenac in its youth. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity. As usual, there is a soupçon of underlying greenness that will dissipate with bottle age. This brims with energy yet remains very classic in style. Will it drink earlier than other vintages? I am not so sure; revisiting this in bottle, I would certainly afford it 4–5 years. 2024 – 2048.

93
Neal Martin, vinous.com, March 2021

Aromas of mushroom, meat, bark and iodine with blackberries and blackcurrants, following through to a full body with firm, creamy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Tight on the finish. Long and persistent with presence. Drink after 2025.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2021

The 2018 Brane-Cantenac is made from 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up vibrant notions of baked black plums, stewed black cherries, and creme de cassis, with touches of Indian spices, chocolate mints, and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, rich, spicy, and seductive, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and opulent.

94+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent, May 2022

This is a serious wine, with well constructed walls and floor, but it’s full of life too, with brambled, succulent and generously-extracted fruit on the nose. It has less immediate charm than some in the appellation and will take a while to come round, but it has clear ageing ability and is one to savour. You feel the precision and confidence in how it presents itself.

1% Petit Verdot makes up the blend – there was no Carmenère in the grand vin in 2018. 45hl/ha yield. 70% new oak.

Drinking Window 2027 – 2042

95
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, April 2019

Tasted blind. Nice Margaux fragrance and then easy, if a bit simple, fruit. Soft tannins (relatively) and a bit of acid. 13.5%
Drink 2025 – 2037

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2022

74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot; 70% new oak. Barrel sample.
Darkest core with barely a rim. Prettily scented, reminding me, along with Angludet just tasted, of the aromatic distinctiveness of classic Margaux. A bit dry and slim on the palate but the tannins have been gently handled and there’s freshness to finish. (JH) 13.4%
Drink 2024-2032

16
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2019