Château Brane-Cantenac 2021

Très beau rouge sombre, pourpre, aux reflets noirs. Superbe nez très aromatique, fin, pur, fruité, floral et complexe. Délicat en entrée de bouche et sans cesse accompagné d'une texture minutieuse, juteux au milieu, puis fondant et finalement gras, le vin avance royal, margalien et ultra parfumé, vers une longue finale raffinée, sans aucun angle tannique. C'est bien difficile à cracher. Assemblage : 74 % cabernet sauvignon, 22 % merlot, 2 % cabernet franc, 1 % petit verdot, 1 % carmenère. Degré d’alcool : 12°7 (légère chaptalisation) – pH : 3,66 - IPT : 72 (moyenne plus). Saignée à 22 % pour les merlots. Rendement : 41 hl/ha. Dates de vendanges : du 23 septembre au 7 octobre. Pour mémoire, ce cru fait un bond en avant à partir de 2019. En 2021, il maintient son haut niveau de qualité !

A dark seductive nose, liquorice, sweet and sticky with a real depth to the aromatics, black chocolate and perfumed blackcurrants - that glamour that Margaux does so well. High acid here, crunchy fruit with bite and ample appeal. This is a little high-toned still, with the focus on the mineral, slightly austere sides to the bright and youthful strawberry fruit with toasted wood edges. Tannins are so supple and integrated however, they give a plumpness but this is still quite a linear wine, with such tension and drive - it's tightly-knitted no doubt but has the most gorgeous herbal Cabernet elements on the fresh finish which I totally love. You get understated power, this feels well controlled, sophisticated and totally delectable. What a lovely 2021. Eric Boissenot consultant. 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère complete the blend. 3.66pH. 2027-2047. Georgina Hindle.

Beautiful finesse here that shows currants, roasted red chili pepper and a hint of charcoal, mineral and pencil shavings. Very refined and layered with a juicy, medium body and a long, composed finish. Classy and very layered. Drink or hold. Zekun Shuai, senior editor.

The 2021 Brane-Cantenac offers up aromas of sweet dark berries mingled with mint, vanilla pod and spices. It shows its élevage and malolactic fermentation in new oak more prominently than it did en primeur. Medium to full-bodied, with good depth and concentration, it's bright and velvety, with plenty of structuring barrel tannin and a vanillin-inflected finish. The quality of Brane's terroirs and a strict selection shows through, so if it can digest its oak more completely, this will prove exceptional. 2025-2041. William Kelley.