2020 Chateau Brane Cantenac 1500ml

98 POINTS

James Suckling

Blackberries, plums, currants, tobacco and violets on the nose. Bitter chocolate and mocha, too. It’s refined and focused, with a medium to full body and firm, tightly-knit tannins. Very long, laser-focused and polished. Very classy. Best of the trilogy. Try after 2027.

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

95–97. Barrel Sample. From what is one of Margaux's leading estates, this wine is structured and initially firm. Then it reveals luscious black fruits and succulent acidity that gives the wine a fine perfumed character, dense texture and the promise of some serious aging.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

Extremely floral and beautiful with blackberry and blackcurrant aromas that follow through to a full body with a solid core of fruit and loads of dark fruit, sweet tobacco, bark and earth. Chewy, fine tannins. Perhaps the best of the trilogy years. Points: 96-97

94 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Spicy and floral on the nose, very typical for the Château, some wet gravel, malt as well as red and black currant. On the palate there is fine-grained, shapely tannin, mineral acidity, much juiciness and an extreme elegance, mineral pithy finish. In the background, however, despite the elegance also quite plump. Very good length..

94 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Violet-edged, lovely vibrant colour. A low-yield wine that has kept an impressively fresh core, with expressive fruits and a vibrant grip through the centre of the wine. Powerful, tight tannins and the concentration becomes clearer in the glass, a ton of bilberry, sage and rosemary aromatics, with a generous helping of graphite and crushed stone. All of these wines are going to need very careful ageing - although the reasonable alcohols should help. A yield of 31hl/ha. 18 months ageing in a mix of new oak barrels and amphoras. 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère completes the blend. Tasted twice.

93 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, deep core, delicate rim brightening. Ripe plums and liquorice, dark berries, a touch of noble wood, candied purples in the background. Medium-bodied, a touch of Brettanomyces, tight tannins, mineral and slightly dry on the finish, pleasant sweetness on the finish, delicate rusticity. (2028-2050).

90 POINTS

Peter Moser - Falstaff

Dark ruby, purple reflections, soft brightening on the rim. Subtle floral notes, hints of liquorice, black cherries, hints of plums, inviting bouquet. Medium bodied, red berries and fresh, ripe cherries, fine tannins, mineral and well developed, a versatile food companion.