95-97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2025 Brane-Cantenac is incredibly polished right out of the gate. Floral overtones lead into a core of blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, tobacco, lavender and a kiss of French oak. Silky tannins lend shape and finesse. The aromatics alone are so compelling, but everything about the 2025 speaks to balance. It’s a magnificent effort from proprietor Henri Lurton and his team. One of the highlights of the vintage. 04/2026

95-97

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2025 Brane-Cantenac was picked from September 2 to 29, finishing with that 1% of late-ripening Carménère, cropped at 32.2 hl/ha. It has impressive purity on the nose, an aspect of the Grand Vin that Henri Lurton and his team have improved immensely over the last decade. Black cherries, bilberry, violet and crushed stone unfold in the glass, classical in style, which is Brane-Cantenac's signature. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, finely sculpted tannins allied with disarming sapidity and brightness. Not powerful like the 2022, yet pixelated with a mineral, tensile, complex finish. Another feather in the cap for Lurton and, moreover, this is often one of the best values on release. 05/2026

93-96

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenère (the latter harvested by the winery team after everything else has been picked), the 2025 Brane-Cantenac offers up a rich bouquet of crème de cassis, plums and spices, framed by a deft touch of new oak. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and lively, with powdery tannins that contribute youthful grip on the finish, it checks in at a very classical 13.3% alcohol and pH of 3.62. 04/2026

96-98

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

Cassis, graphite, liquid violets, and tobacco all define the 2025 Château Brane-Cantenac, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 1% each Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot that's being raised in 100% new French oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a focused, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful concentration and depth, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Hitting 13.5% alcohol, it's a brilliant success in the vintage and should be snatched up by readers. 05/2026

99

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur noire. Nez intense, fin, fruité, pur, évoluant profond à l'agitation du verre, mais aussi très médocain. Nuances de cassis jamais vues à cet âge, mêlées aux fruits noirs. Ultra distingué en entrée de bouche, avec une grâce folle dans le toucher et un corps fondant, le vin roule sur le palais, minutieux, complexe et profond. Il s'achève long et une fois de plus incrachable. C'est formidable. Assemblage : 80 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Carménère. Degré d'alcool : 13°3 - pH : 3,62. 12,10 % de vin de presse. Rendement : 32,2 hl/ha. Si vous devez n'en acheter qu'un seul dans ce millésime, c'est celui-ci. Il est l'Outsider de tous les vins notés au-dessus de lui. 04/2026

96-97

James Suckling

James Suckling

A medium-bodied and solid red with blackberry, chocolate, meat and walnut character. It shows juicy tannins and a long finish. Persistent and classy. Such length and balance. 04/2026