2022 Brane Cantenac

Deep plum colour, touch of grilled campfire smoke on the aromatics, good lift through the finish, this is so enjoyable, clearly skilled and full of joy. One of the wines of the vintage, totally delivers on En Primeur beauty. Technical director Christophe Capdeville, owner Henri Lurton, 100% new oak for ageing.
98/100 Jane Anson

(Margaux; 74% Cabernet Sauvignon; 23% Merlot; 1% Cabernet Franc; 1% Carménère; 1% Petit Verdot; a final yield of 31.5 hl/ha; pH 3.61; 14.3% alcohol). An utterly brilliant Brane Cantenac built around the old vines on the plateau. Perfectly integrated and harmonious, if slow at first to divulge all of its secrets, this unfurls gradually and at its own rhythm, with lovely cedar and graphite encrusted black cherry and berry fruits. There’s a lovely touch of fresh walnuts before the skins have changed colour. Candlewax and incense too. Given a little time, that remarkable signature of Brane eventually fills the glass but all at its own place. A little peony and pink rose petal, but the florality is subtle at this stage. Texturally remarkable, this is a wine that so beautifully epitomises Brane and Margaux. Cool and gracious, crystalline and limpid and with great precision. So clear and yet with so much impact and density. Succulent, sapid and tender on the fantail finish before the taper towards a very long and distant horizon. The best yet from Henri Lurton and Christophe Capdeville at Brane. The intensity of the florality in the mouth is sublime.
98/100+ Colin Hay; The Drinks Business