2020 Chateau Cantenac Brown - Grand Cru Classe Margaux

Decanter.com – 94 pts – GH: *Juicy, succulent and supple, this has lovely bright energy and impact straight away. Tannins are on the chalky mineral side, mouthcoating, but with a salty tang so they don't appear too ripe, heavy or rustic, but give width and structure. Feels quite powerful, with an underlying concentration and a tight clove and cedar tang to the tannins. Energetic, definitely more bright and pulsing right now. Purity of fruit is there, as is the acidity.* - 02/2023

Falstaff Magazin – 94 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, tiefer Kern, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Lakritze und Nugat, schwarze Kirschen sind unterlegt, ein Hauch von Edelholz im Hintergrund. Saftig, frisch strukturiert, rote Kirschen, feine Tannine, mineralisch, dezente Süße, balanciert und charmant, zeigt gute Länge, bereits entwickelt und bald antrinkbar, ein charmanter Speisenbegleiter. (2025–2050).* - 02/2023

Vinum Magazin – 17,5/20pts: *Verrät Präzision schon in der Nase, mit seinen Noten frischer Kirschen; saftig im Ansatz, vollmundige Entwicklung, erstklassiges Tannin, das nicht nur Halt vermittelt, sondern auch Frische, gehört zu den sicheren Werten des Jahrgangs und den Topweinen des Gutes. Option für 18 Punkte..* - 09/2021

WeinWisser – 17/20pts – GL, TW: *Verhaltener Beginn, zarte rotbeerige Konturen, Zedern und heller Tabak. Am geradlinigen Gaumen mit weicher Textur, stützendem körnigem Tanningerüst, sehniger Körper. Im verkapselten Finale kleine schwarze Beeren, Wacholder und feinmürber Extrakt.* – 03/2023

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5/20pts – JH: *67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot. Extremely dark colour with purple rim. Strong Cabernet impression of cassis, overlain with some oak sweetness. As it opens, there's a marked cedary character, and a gentle, stony/mineral hinterland. Smooth, juicy and fresh. The tannins compact and smooth. Long, rich finish.* - 11/2022

JamesSuckling.com - 96-97pts - JS: *Fantastic depth of fruit with layers of firm, chewy tannins that are medium-grained and long in the mouth. Full and dynamic. One of the best ever.* - 05/2021

Vinous.com – 97 pts – AG: *The 2020 Cantenac Brown is a knock-out. A Margaux of towering intensity, the 2020 is dense and vertical at the same time. It’s a combination that works so well. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves all saturate the palate. There's real depth and concentration here from the summer heat and small size of the berries, but at the same time the 2020 has more freshness and energy than some recent years. There have been quite a few changes here in recent years, starting with a new parcel on the Margaux plateau that entered the blend in 2019 and move towards lower toast levels in the barrels. Cantenac Brown remains a potent, opulent Margaux, but 2020 has a measure of classicism as well. Superb.* - 12/2022

Vinous.com – 94 pts – NM: *The 2020 Cantenac Brown delivered the goods from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a wonderful, very expressive and complex bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, potpourri and light graphite aromas. You could lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine grip, quite firm in the mouth, good density and concentration with an almost sinewy finish. I can see this closing down for some time before reemerging. Have patience - it will be worth the wait.* - 12/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 96 pts – JL: *Deep, dark and rich, the wine is packed from start to finish with layers of lush, polished, ripe, sweet, pure, black and dark red fruits, flowers, espresso, hints of chocolate and oceanic influences. There is a beautiful sense of symmetry, purity, freshness, length and lift that already expresses its essence. The finish continues with its layers of ripe, opulent, yet refined fruits. This is a top vintage for Cantenac Brown that will age gracefully for 2-3 decades. Drink from 2026-2055.* - 03/2023