Chateau Brane Cantenac 2021

WEINWISSER: "Der Brane-Cantenac 2021 ist extrem dunkel und viskos in der Optik. In der begeisternden Nase entpuppt er sich als superdelikater, offensiver Margaux mit enorm präsenter, dichter Frucht, likörigreif und intensiv, ein großer Bordeaux mit enormer Frische und Präsenz. Superelegant und stimmig im Mund, schlank und intensiv, mit großartiger Rasse und vielschichtiger Tiefenstaffelung. Ganz lang und drahtig, mit knackiger Frische, die ihn sicher zeitlos reifen lässt. Kein kleiner, sondern ein großer Brane mit großer Präsenz und verblüffender Balance. Dunkelbeerig, likörig, reif und frisch im endlosen Nachhall. 13.0 Vol.-%."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Beautiful finesse here that shows currants, roasted red chili pepper and a hint of charcoal, mineral and pencil shavings. Very refined and layered with a juicy, medium body and a long, composed finish. Classy and very layered. Drink or hold."

DECANTER: "Wild pink flowers on the nose, with blackcurrant and cherry fruit, fragrant, almost sweet and sour, super inviting. Cool but concentrated fruit on the palate, supple, agile, ripe full and direct. It has a gorgeous weight on the palate, not plush - it's in keeping with the vintage for sure, but such a finessed, elegance to the frame. Lovely licks of minerality that don't overhwelm the wine and the flavours carry to a long finish. A great sense of fun, joy and delicate beauty. Pretty and super charming, a delicate take from Brane but so much to like with its subtle charm."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a bit of oak that still needs integrate in the nose, the perfume quickly moves to roses, tobacco leaf, cherries, black currants, incense and a background note of orange rind. On the palate, soft, fresh, elegant and refined, with layers of sweet, ripe, red fruits that taste as good as they feel. This is an incredible success for the vintage. The wine blends 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere. Drink from 2026-2050."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Ockerrandaufhellung. Feinwürzig, schwarze Beerenfrucht, ein Hauch von Edelholz, zart nach Lakritze. Komplex, straff, kühle Stilistik, feine Tannine, frisch, lebendig, sehr präzise und gut anhaftend, ein sehr gelungener Wein, der an die großen Klassiker des Medocs der »good old times« erinnert."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2021 Brane-Cantenac is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, notes of black raspberries, juicy blackberries, and cassis come barreling out of the glass, plus nuances of dried herbs and graphite. The light to medium-bodied palate offers great tension and intensity, with fine-grained tannins and a long, savory finish."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Brane-Cantenac offers up aromas of sweet dark berries mingled with mint, vanilla pod and spices. It shows its élevage and malolactic fermentation in new oak more prominently than it did en primeur. Medium to full-bodied, with good depth and concentration, it's bright and velvety, with plenty of structuring barrel tannin and a vanillin-inflected finish. The quality of Brane's terroirs and a strict selection shows through, so if it can digest its oak more completely, this will prove exceptional."

JEB DUNNUCK: "I loved the nose on the 2021 Château Brane-Cantenac, which has good intensity as well as the vintage's fresher, vibrant, focused style. Ripe red and blue fruits, violets, tobacco, and a beautiful sense of graphite and minerality all define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a supple, elegant, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. The overall balance here is spot on, and while this is approachable and delicious even today, it should shine for two decades. The blend is 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, and Petit Verdot, with the élevage spanning 18 months in new barrels."