The wine primarily features a well-balanced blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Merlot, complemented by a smaller amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It showcases a deep ruby colour and a refined bouquet with notes of mixed black fruit, sweet spices, and pepper. The wines from these 3 good years offer a round, solid, and harmonious taste with good complexity, a long finish, and a delicate palate, providing excellent value. It has a medium to medium-deep ruby-red colour and presents good, fresh acidity and balanced alcohol, although the finish is affected by astringent tannins. It still maintains good fruit character with a silky finish. All bottles are currently available.
JS has awarded the 2005 vintage an impressive 93 points, showcasing its exceptional quality. This wine reveals wonderful depth and complexity on the nose, with prominent notes of blueberries, fresh flowers, and hints of stones. It is a full-bodied wine with ultra-refined tannins and a long finish. Although it is already stunning, it is expected to further improve with age. RP scored it 91, and Stazer awarded it 90, reaffirming its consistently high quality across different reviewers.
The 2009 vintage, acclaimed with 93 points by GG, is a strong contender. It boasts an intense garnet-red hue and a profound nose of ripe red fruits subtly enhanced by lightly roasted oak. The wine makes a full, generous, and fruit-forward entry, with a delicious fruit expression supported by pronounced exuberance and a good-length finish despite a slight touch of greenness.
The 2010 vintage receives its highest acclaim, scoring 95 points from Waterfront. It presents distinctive notes of wet forest, truffle, tobacco, cedar, and cassis on the nose. The palate offers vibrant black raspberries, cherries, and spicy cassis. This classically built wine, while still young, would benefit from at least 5-7 more years in the cellar. It has been awarded 93 points.
Our team's deep understanding of Brane-Cantenac is rooted in the meticulous analysis of the first vertical tasting(1996 to 2006) and the second vertical tasting (2000 to 2018), hosted by Owner Henri Lurton years back at the esteemed KCC Wine Society. Comparing this little write-up's 2017 and 2018 vintages was difficult, but our expertise allowed us to discern their unique qualities. Given the ripe and generous temperament of both vintages, Brane-Cantenac 2017 and 2018 are consistent:
The 2017 and 2018 vintages of Brane-Cantenac are a deep ruby with a tight, narrow rim; they exude the aromas of strawberry and red cherry fruit, layered with tobacco and incense notes. The palate is a delightful blend of juiciness and roundedness, cut by a refreshing acidity that lends a cooler, brighter edge to the black fruit at the core. The oak is integrated but smoky, with hints of roasted coffee beans and bonfire. The finish is vibrant, juicy, long and savoury. The attack is complete, robust, and intense, leading to a highly structured mid-palate. Both vintages stay perfumy through our 'drinking'. The fruit profile turns even darker, with a long, leathery, liquorice, oaky finish.
The last drop gives a smooth, silky, feminine tenderness(!) of true Cantenac character.
Both vintages are formed from a blend of 74% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot, with an ABV of roughly 13.5%
Turning to the 2017 vintage, Wine Enthusiast awarded it 96 points, describing the 'wood'(70% new) palpable, with firm tannins and dense black fruit. This indicates a wine with power, superb concentration, and generous blackberry fruits. JS awarded it 94, emphasizing the value of a tight, focused centre palate for this red with blackberries, dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and smoke-medium to the entire body- with polished tannins and a juicy, lightly chewy mouthfeel. The wine's flavour profile is a delightful blend of these elements, creating a uniquely memorable experience.
Regarding 2018, RP awarded it 95 and discussed the broad spectrum of nose and palate. He said there were aromas of mushroom, meat, bark, and iodine with blackberries and blackcurrants that follow through to an entire body with firm, creamy tannins that give structure and form to the wine. Tight on the finish; long and persistent with presence. As JS opined on the 2017 vintage, RP thought 2018 was drinking fine now. Lisa Perrotti-Brown awarded this 2018 vintage a 94. Deep garnet-purple coloured, 2018 gives up vibrant notions of baked black plums, stewed black cherries, and creme de cassis, with touches of Indian spices, chocolate mints, and liquorice. Medium to full-bodied, rich, spicy, and seductive. She said it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and plentiful. Jeb Dunnuck awarded this 2018 vintage a score of 96+, emphasizing layers and seamless integration. He admits he is a fan of Brane Cantenac.
The vineyards of Chateau Brane Cantenac, situated on the gravel slopes, are some of the highest within the appellation Cantenac of MARGAUX. The soil depth, a crucial factor in grape quality, is relatively uniform, ranging from 30 to 36 feet. The wine is aged in oak for 18 months, using 70% new French oak, contributing to its unique flavour profile.
Updated: Apr 16, 2025
You're likely already a fan of Château Lascombes, but if you're open to exploring new vintages such as the 2017 and 2018, here are some captivating details you should keep in mind.
The 2017 and 2018 vintages embody a modern winemaking style characterized by impeccably balanced and silky tannins, complemented by delightful fruity notes of cassis, wild strawberry, and blackberry.
The 2018 vintage is particularly noteworthy, having garnered an impressive score of GG97 and RP94 compared to GG95, RP94, and JS94, which were awarded to the 2017 vintage. The 2018 vintage boasts an alcohol content of 14% and delivers a truly unique tasting experience, featuring clean wood spice, sweet vanilla, and toasty hints of cigar box and mint. Conversely, the 2017 vintage, with a slightly lower alcohol content of 13%, entices an aromatic and floral character, displaying exquisite aromas of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and subtle barbecue smoke. It's almost impeccable to savour on its own.
Furthermore, the 2018 vintage offers a slightly denser and more refined structure, culminating in a longer, more satisfying finish. A recent dinner/tasting with friends convinced us that the 2018 vintage reigns were slightly superior, owing to its purity, structure, and length, making it a more versatile option for food pairings. Both vintages are undeniably delightful now, yet they hold the potential to evolve further with age, promising an even more profound and complex flavour profile in the years to come.
Heroes think alike. Specific tasting commentaries from a host of international tasters also highlight the vintages' modern elements, featuring balanced, silky tannins and fruity flavours such as cassis, wild strawberry, and blackberry. They are composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. The 2018 vintage received a score of GG97, while the 2017 vintage got GG95, indicating its exceptional quality and potential. The 2018 vintage has an alcohol content of 14% and offers a unique tasting experience with clean wood spice, sweet vanilla, and toasty hints of cigar box and mint. On the other hand, the 2017 vintage has a slightly lower alcohol content at 13%. It offers the charm of an even more aromatic and floral experience, with beautiful aromas of creme de cassis, spring flowers, and subtle barbecue smoke.
