Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2eme Cru Classe, Margaux 2009

Exceptional weather, and this is showcasing all the charms of the vintage. Firm and vibrant dark ruby in colour, so much depth to the berry fruit, intact, juicy, laced with tobacco, cocoa bean, fragrant rose petal. A total standout, easy to love, one to track down, confirms its success in my recent 2009/2010 retrospective. Harvest September 22 to October 9, 48.4hm/h yield, 70% new French oak barrels, 3.72ph. Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director.

Showing beautifully, the 2009 Château Brane-Cantenac is loaded with classic Margaux notes of sandalwood, dried flowers, spice, truffle, and blackcurrants. Based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak, it's medium to full-bodied and has a beautifully textured, elegant mouthfeel, terrific mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It's a quintessential, elegant yet textured, concentrated Margaux to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.

The 2009 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet colored, it barrels out of the glass with bold notions of baked blackberries, warm cassis, and stewed plums, plus hints of chocolate box, licorice, and fertile loam with a waft of dried roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with spicy black fruit preserves and a plush texture, finishing long with a refreshing lift.

The 2009 Brane-Cantenac has a wonderful bouquet, the best since the 2005. With copious brambly red berry fruit, cedar and mint—yes, very similar to previous bottles—there is simply more energy and focus from the benevolent growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and perfectly judged acidity, a little spicier than I recall with harmony and grip towards the finish. Time is just beginning to mellow the finish and shave the edges of this superb Brane-Cantenac that continues to dole out so much pleasure. Delicious! Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.

Plenty of fresh plum fruit alongside the bitter chocolate in the nose, but on the palate this retains the Margaux lightness and elegant dryness, the finish just slightly warm. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

Good deep red. Pretty cassis and floral aromas. Silky, subtle and fresh, with sound acidity framing the pungent dark berry and lightly herbal flavors. Very nicely balanced wine with an elegant finish featuring suave tannins, an intriguing saline quality and subtle persistence.

(a blend of 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot and 7% cabernet franc; 13.2% alcohol; ph 3.87; IPT 75; 37% selection) Aromas of spicy plum, stony minerals and herbs are currently a bit subdued. Suave and fine-grained, with a light touch to its rather wild flavors of blackcurrant, licorice, minerals and violet. Finishes with easygoing tannins that turned a bit dusty with air, as well as a touch of heat. This will need plenty of bottle age to pull itself together and develop complexity and flesh. But I like the way this wine expresses its appellation clearly in this very ripe year.