1945 Brane Cantenac
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Tasting notes
Garnet/amber-hued and unquestionably fully mature and then some, the 1945 Château Brane-Cantenac offers an impressive perfume of sweet red and black fruits intermixed with lots of leafy herb, coffee, and tobacco nuances on the nose. Bottled in the classic blue-tinged bottles from the era when all iron went to the War, it's another rich, concentrated Brane-Cantenac with a thick, rich mouthfeel, good acidity, and outstanding length. There's a solid spine of acidity here, but this is still rich, opulent, and textured, and a fun drink. We're clearly in the old-wine category, and it's not going to get better, but it was just a treat to be able to drink this. Drink 2026-2026.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 1945 Brane-Cantenac is unequivocally the finest ancient vintage that I have tasted from the estate. The aromatics initially feel a little woody, but that soon dissipates to reveal a captivating, Pauillac-like, almost citrus-fresh bouquet. The palate has entrancing balance, filigree tannins, perfect acidity and a crystalline quality that other vintages can only stand back and gawk at. Vivacious, tensile, satin-like in texture but with incredible drive, this is another '45 Bordeaux to add to the canon of legendary wines. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.
Still so much depth of colour, insane, even deeper than the 1947. On the palate, waves of tobacco leaf, crushed and dried raspberry leaf , saffron and orange peel. Moreish and gulpable above all else. A vintage that was extremely tannic in its youth but always delicious, and even today it stretches out and glides through the palate. So beautiful - and as ever when drinking a 1945, you are rooted to the spot by the history and the emotion. Recorked in 1986. Carafe for sediment just before drinking. Served out of bottle.
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.