97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2019 Brane-Cantenac is wild and exotic from the very first taste. The aromatics alone are dazzling. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice, tobacco, new leather, menthol and cinnamon are all kicked up in this flamboyant Margaux. The 2019 is radiant and generous, yet also retains a very classic sense of structure. The precision here is just unreal. In 2019, Brane-Cantenac is an absolute head-turner. It is the sort of wine that abounds in Bordeaux, a wine that offers tremendous quality and relative value. 01/2022

95

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2019 Brane-Cantenac, which was bottled at the beginning of July 2021, takes time to open in the glass. As I mentioned in my tasting note from barrel, this vintage was matured entirely in new oak from several cooperages and inevitably the wood is still present aromatically, though it is completely simpatico with the fruit concentration that the growing season bestowed. (Previously the Grand Vin saw 70%–80% new oak.) The intense bouquet features blackberry, crushed rock, touches of crushed flowers and a hint of lavender. The palate is beautifully balanced with layers of red berry fruit, orange peel, cedar and just a touch of graphite. As I said in my previous assessment, it does not set out to be a powerful Brane-Cantenac, which means that it retains a fine elegance toward the finish and a touch of white pepper mixed with clove on the aftertaste. (Still) excellent. 14.1% alcohol 12/2021

97

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Derived exclusively from the château's holdings on the deep gravel soils of the plateau of Brane, the 2019 Brane-Cantenac has turned out brilliantly and merits a special effort to seek out. Wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, pencil shavings, violets, sweet loamy soil and cardamon, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with lively acids, rip 04/2022e tannins and a beautifully seamless, perfumed profile. Retaining all the estate's signature elegance but with an extra dimension of depth and intensity, it's the finest Brane-Cantenac of the modern era and one of the great successes of the 2019 vintage. 04/2022

97

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Le coup de coeur se porte bien. Superbe nez doux, profond et complexe. Bouche à la fois ample, fondante, élancée, suave, aérienne et profonde, faite de mille complexités. C'est délicieux. 03/2022

95

James Suckling

James Suckling

This shows lots of currant, chocolate, tobacco and herbal aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Refined and complex. Needs at least four or five years to come together. Better after 2025 02/2022