2018 Brane-Cantenac Baron de Brane
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James Suckling
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Baron De Brane is a more Merlot-dominated second wine and is 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Carménère. It has lots of floral, blue fruits as well as notes of ripe cherries, cedar pencil, and chocolate to go with a medium-bodied, elegant, seamless style on the palate. It's more closed and backward than I would have expected, but it's an elegant, silky, charming wine to enjoy over the coming 10-12 years.
The 2018 Baron de Brane offers ripe red currant and cranberry fruit and hints of cedar and black pepper on a nose that is fuller and more generous than recent vintages. The medium-bodied palate displays fine-grained tannins. This is lighter than expected, but well balanced, with a pure, almost Burgundian finish. Fine, though I do not see it as a long-term Deuxième Vin .
Tight and polished with a beautiful center palate and density. Full-bodied, ripe and polished. Really delicious fruit to this. Strawberries and currants abound. Wonderful second wine of Brane.
About the producer
Château Brane-Cantenac has been a consistent performer in the Margaux wine appellation since Henri Lurton took over the property, but thanks to replanting and investment in the last decade, quality has seen another sharp upswing.