2017 Chateau Brane Cantenac

95 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

94–96. Barrel Sample. While the wood flavors are palpable in this wine, so are the firm tannins and dense black fruit. These elements suggest a wine that will have power and great concentration while also generous blackberry fruits. Drink from 2024.

94 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

This ripe, spicy wine is full of blackberry fruits, generous tannins and touches of wood. Its balance is coming together, promising a complex wine that will also have weight and some concentration. Drink from 2024.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

A tight, focused center palate to this red with blackberries, dark chocolate, hazelnuts and smoke. Medium to full body, polished tannins and a juicy, lightly chewy mouthfeel. A blend of 74% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2022.

93 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

A lovely wine that sits extremely prettily though the palate, with a seductive expression of florality and blackberry fruits. It's not as powerful as the past two years, but is skilfully worked with soft grilled oak notes. It doesn't sacrifice the excellent quality that this estate has been producing.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Dark currant, berry and fresh herb character. Full-bodied, juicy and flavorful. Very structured. Solid finish and length. Better than 2014?

92 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Deep dark ruby, with purple reflections, and a delicate bright rim. On the nose attractive black berry fruit, hints of cassis, with floral notes, and fresh blackberry. Juicy, fine cherry fruit, a refined structure, and silky tannins, it is a delicate style, with some minerality on the finish, and it has good development potential.

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Dark currant, berry and fresh herb character. Full-bodied, juicy and flavorful. Very structured. Solid finish and length. Better than 2014? Points: 92-93

Wine Spectator

A light singed alder hint leads the way here, along with light bay leaf and savory notes, while the core of gently steeped black cherry and plum fruit fills in slowly. Shows modest intensity through the finish but the flavors knit nicely.