2021 Chateau Brane-Cantenac - Grand Cru Classe Margaux

Decanter.com – 95 pts – GH: *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.* - 12/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 94 pts – PM: *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.* - 05/2022

Vinum Magazin – 19/20 pts: *Sehr zurückhaltend, leicht ausbaugeprägt, dann blumig fruchtig; glasklarer Auftakt, langsame Entwicklung über Tanninen, die Tiefe vermitteln und Mineralität, grosse Länge und enorme Dichte; grossartiger Wein von transzendenter Klasse.*

WeinWisser – 19/20 pts - TB: *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.-%.* - 02/2024

JancisRobinson.com – 16+/20pts – TP: *74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère, 1% Petit Verdot. Mid-deep ruby. Cherry wood, iris and red plum on the nose here – there is a hint of greenness but one that brings a classicism to the wine rather than stalky underripeness. The palate is direct and linear, with cool fruit at the core propped up by persistent, fine tannins. Chalky on the finish, it will need a few years to relax and integrate but this should drink well in the medium term.* - 11/2023

Vinous.com – 95 pts – AG: *The 2021 Brane-Cantenac is a classy, elegant wine. The aromatics alone are so enticing. Crushed flowers, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, rose petal and cedar open first. The 74% Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit higher than in most years, which comes through in the wine's aromatic and structural profile. The 2021 is quiet and understated. Élevage was 18 months in 100% new French oak, but the wood is not at all evident—an important and positive sign regarding the wine's overall balance. Even so, the 2021 is a subdued Brane-Cantenac, one that needs time in bottle to shine at its brightest.* - 12/2023

Vinous.com – 93 pts – NM: *The first thing that I notice on the 2021 Brane-Cantenac is that the color is conspicuously deeper than that of the /Deuxième Vin/. The nose has exquisite, very pure and delineated scents of raspberry and blackcurrant, with a touch of pencil box and cedar. There is almost a Burgundy-like allure to these aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Classic in style with a clean bead of acidity, there is a noticeable saline/estuarine aspect to this Brane. It’s focused and poised with quite a peppery finish (more-so than out of barrel). Whilst it has no desire to match the imperial heights of other recent vintages, this will allow for perfect drinking over the next 20-odd years. Excellent.* - 11/2023

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 95 pts – JL: *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.* - 03/2024