Chateau Cantenac Brown 2007
Tight ruby core, narrow rim. Still, a lot to go.
On the nose, certain leanness to start, followed by nuances of dried violets/roses, tea leaves, red and dark fruit, spice, peat and earth. On the palate, taut acidity, structured with firm tannins. Leathery finish.
There is particular rigidity with extraction. My earlier tasting in 2006 says that the wine is not ripe enough: suppressed cassis, leafy, weedy and lacks fruit freshness. A dense wine which requires quite some time in the glass to uncover the cassis fruit.
The overall impression: the classic Margaux(Bernard Ginestet et al) combining power and elegance. The right time to crack a bottle.
Terroir is right(high elevation within the commune of Cantenac, elements of Quartz soil). Some 65% Majority of Cabernet followed by Merlot and Cabernet Franc.; 100% destemmed; standard Cru level of winemaking; 50% new oak; 13% abv. WS92. Not bad.
