Hot on the heels of Leoville Barton and Ch Margaux comes another Goedhuis favourite – Ch Brane-Cantenac at £630 per 12 IB.
As has become almost customary in recent vintages, in 2016 Ch Brane-Cantenac has yet again confirmed their status as one of the most sought after Margaux châteaux.
Henri Lurton has produced a wine of outstanding class and purity and one that, in the fullness of time, should even surpass the 2015. Lurton’s style is based on muscularity and density. In youth the Brane-Cantenac often tends to austerity such is its classic and reserved nature. It goes without saying that the wine ages beautifully.
The 2016 is Brane at its best. It always has wonderfully bright fruit and this year’s vintage is exemplary – quintessential Margaux. With an enormous 96-98 points from Neal Martin, it is in his words, “everything you could possibly want from a Margaux”, and, “the 2016 is a benchmark against which future vintages will be compared.” This is a ‘must have’ for the cellar!
Ch Brane-Cantenac 2ème Cru Margaux 2016
£315.00 per 6 bottles IB
£630.00 per 12 bottles IB
£320.00 per 3 magnums IB
£240.00 per single double magnum IB (300cl)
Henri Lurton’s wine at Ch Brane-Cantenac is, much like himself, quietly understated but never to be underestimated… This is an absolute cracker. It has everything that fine Margaux should. Polished, refined, gloriously pure with lovely perfumed red fruit flavours, supported by a hint of mocha and spice. The fruit is almost crystalline in its purity. I simply love this. Yet another for my cellar! Drink 2025-2038. 93-95 points, Goedhuis & Co
It has a beautifully defined, very detailed bouquet with mineral-rich black fruit laced with cedar and graphite notes, living up to its nom de plume as the “Pauillac of Margaux.” The palate is simply the best that I have ever tasted at the estate, without question. This has presence, but also weightlessness, filigree tannin and perfectly pitched acidity, with real intensity and drive. The tension here is outstanding and the persistence is incredibly long. It is not the showiest of all the 2016s by a long stretch, and yet it is everything you could possibly want from a Margaux. Like Beychevelle this year, the 2016 Brane-Cantenac puts recent vintages in the shade, thanks not only to the growing season, but also a new punching down system in their gravity-fed winery that was completed in 2015. The 2016 is a benchmark against which future vintages will be compared. Drink Date 2026 – 2060. 96-98 points, Neal Martin
This is really strong from Brane-Cantenac this year with toned muscles and beautiful fruit. Full-bodied, chewy and polished. Shows wonderful intensity and density yet remains reserved and very tight. Very impressive from here. Grabs you. One of the best ever from here. 95-96 points, James Suckling
Gorgeous campsite woodsmoke effect on the nose and the effect, as is so often the case with Brane, is that their use of oak ageing is extremely cleverly thought out. This is a luscious wine with rich, deeply layered fruits and gentle spices, all set against well brushed, caressing tannins. This is a great vintage for this property, so effortless. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere (now old enough at 10 years, and successful enough due to the late harvest, to finally make it into the grand vin). Excellent. 94 points, Jane Anson, Decanter
