2006 Brane-Cantenac, Margaux
Team’s understanding of Brane-Cantenac comes from the vertical tasting(1996 to 2008) by Owner Henri Lurton years back at the KCC Wine Society. The vintage 2006 is capricious by nature and becomes genial in the next round. The attack is full and powerful, leading into a highly structured mid-palate. The finish is long and deeply tannic, leathery and licoriced, turning in the to a smooth, silky, feminine tenderness. Poignant. Of true Canternac character.
Composition is 60% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 4% cabernet franc. Oak treatment: 18 months, using 60% new French oak. Vintage 2006 is drinking very well now. It is one of the 15 Second Growth. .
The leading comments, albeit mostly outdated, are:
91-93 points Wine Enthusiast
Barrel sample. A firm, but generous wine with well balanced fruit and tannins. It has a solid core, surrounded by ripe, sweet fruit, freshened by acidity. (12/2009)
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I can't say enough about how beautifully classic, racy, and gracious the wines of Brane Cantenac have become over the last decade. The stunningly elegant 2006 exhibits a sweet, subtle smoke note intermixed with creme de cassis in its medium-bodied style with superb nobility, concentration, and sweet tannin. Possessing a complex, luscious personality with strikingly beautiful, velvety tannins, it should be at its finest between 2012-2025+. (2/2009)
90 points James Suckling
Fresh and clean with pretty berry and currant character. It’s full-to-medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a clean, caressing finish. Drink now. (7/2013)
90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Deep red. Expressive nose offers black fruits, espresso and musky dark chocolate lifted by an exotic floral component. Juicy, sweet and pliant, with a generosity of texture in the context of the vintage. Has the mid-palate flavor intensity to buffer its tannins and finishes with noteworthy persistence. (5/2009)
90 points Wine Spectator
Displays plum jam and currant bush on the nose. Full-bodied, with sweet, ripe fruit, soft, round tannins and a long finish. Slightly loose knit at the moment, but will come together with bottle age. Builds on your palate. Needs time. Best after 2013. (3/2009)
Jancis Robinson
Very dark crimson. Sweet start and then pretty tough and austere. Very chewy indeed on the finish. Pencil shavings. But it was quite succulent and improved in the glass. (1/2010)
