The colour is deep garnet. On the nose black cherries and plums, interwoven with notes of mocha, tobacco leaf and cedar. In the mouth savoury and balanced. The tannins are refined and well-integrated, providing structure without aggression. The finish is slightly bitter. The aftertaste pleasant and medium-long.
This 2ème Cru Classé Bordeaux wine is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26.5% Merlot and 3.5% Cabernet Franc grapes.
The history of Château Brane-Cantenac is inseparable from the visionary Baron Hector de Brane, often nicknamed the “Napoléon of the Vines”. In 1833, convinced of the exceptional quality of the Margaux terroir, he sold his family estate Château Brane-Mouton (later to become Mouton Rothschild) to finance the purchase of Château Gorce. He renamed it after himself and thus Château Brane-Cantenac was born.
His intuition was confirmed when Brane-Cantenac was classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, securing its place among the Médoc elite.
A new chapter opened in 1925 with the arrival of the Lurton family, who have stewarded the estate for a century. The modern revival is largely attributed to Lucien Lurton, who took charge in 1956, restoring both the vineyards and the château’s reputation.
Since 1992, the estate has been led by his son Henri Lurton, whose precise, parcel-by-parcel approach has refined the style of the wines. Emphasizing sustainable viticulture and the expression of Margaux’s deep gravel soils, he has guided Brane-Cantenac to a renewed consistency and finesse, establishing it as one of the most compelling values among the Médoc’s classified growths.
The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux is widely celebrated as one of the greatest of the new millennium, characterized by near-perfect growing conditions that produced wines of remarkable concentration, balance, and aging potential.
I bought this wine En Primeur for 72.50 CHF. Nowadays it sells for some 100 CHF. Over 16 years, a modest 2% a year appreciation.
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Type: Red
Vintage: 2009
Producer: Château Brane-Cantenac
Price range: Extra (50-100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 4/5