2021 Château Brane-Cantenac
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Dense and rich, the 2021 Brane-Cantenac is one of the deepest expressions of Margaux this year – with a signature voluptuousness. Dark, ripe fruit and chocolate-covered cherries mingle with a chalky structure that suggests this will age well. There’s plenty of vibrant acidity and the 12.9% alcohol well integrated producing a cohesive and balanced overall impression. As at m"any addresses, there’s a little more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend than normal this year. Aged entirely in new oak, the wine is 12.9% - having seen a little chaptalisation and saignée. Blend: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Carménère
Critic scores
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carmenère and 1% Petit Verdot. 41.2 hl/ha. Deep crimson hue. Lovely purity of fruit. Already quite expressive, the Cabernet notes coming though, particularly on the palate. Not quite the intensity of the very top years but structured. Good potential for medium-term drinking. (JL)
The 2021 Brane-Cantenac clearly has less fruit than the 2019 and 2020, though it retains delineation and focus as blackberry meets graphite and pencil shavings. It simmers with anticipation, but will never deliver aromatics like the previous two vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit and fine delineation, not as complex or as pixelated as the best vintages, but there is plenty of fruit on the finish and a surprisingly sweet aftertaste. Give this four to five years in bottle. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.
Slow unroll, juicy berry fruit, this is blueberry and raspberry coulis, some juicy hedgerow character, slate, campfire, gunsmoke, a delicious wine in the style of 2017. A cooler vintage, but with better frost protection than in 2017, allowing for a 4hl/h yield, 3.56ph, 100% new French oak barrels, harvest September 23 to October 7. Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director.
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.