Critic Notes
This has the estate signature, which always has a touch of glamour in its whites. It's gorgeous, vibrant and extremely bright, with creamy apricot and peach fruit followed by a kick of lime leaf and lemongrass, plus a wonderfully salty lick on the finish. 50% new oak gives that creamy patisserie feel. This will please lovers of Château Brown, and also newcomers to white Bordeaux. A real success.
Score: 93-/100DecanterDrinking Window: 2019 - 2028
This is a very pretty cabernet sauvignon with currants, raspberries and blueberries. Bright and vivid. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh and clean finish.
Score: 92-93/100James Suckling
The 2017 Cantenac Brown is dark, plush, and powerful. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice notes infuse this plush, voluptuous Margaux. There is no shortage of depth or intensity, that much is clear. This is an especially potent style. Technical Director José Sanfins lowered temperatures in fermentation and chose to handle the wines minimally with the goal of avoiding the extraction of hard tannins. Tasted three times.
Score: 90-93/100Antonio Galloni
With a larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cantenac Brown leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, warm plums and black forest cake with touches of violets, dark chocolate, cloves and cigar box plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied and firm with fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with plenty of black fruit and perfumed layers.
Score: 90-92/100Robert Parker
With a larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cantenac Brown leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, warm plums and black forest cake with touches of violets, dark chocolate, cloves and cigar box plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied and firm with fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with plenty of black fruit and perfumed layers. Apr 2018, www.robertparker.com
Score: 90-92/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2017 Cantenac Brown feels a little disjointed on the nose, not quite as ripe as its peers with moderate fruit intensity. There is just a little greenness that nags away in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, quite grippy tannins. This is a structured and more masculine style of Cantenac Brown, although it manages to deliver plenty of finesse towards the finish and there is commendable length. I would just like a little more charm by the time of bottling. Tasted on three occasions.
Score: 89-91/Neal MartinDrinking Window: 2020 - 2032
Deep greyish crimson. Deeply inviting aroma of pure cedary cassis and just a touch of vanilla. Classic bordeaux flavours on the palate, with dark fruit, a hint of graphite and a little oak sweetness. Lightish, fresh and harmonious, Light tannins, but a little bit dilute and herbaceous on the finish. (JH)
Score: 15.5-/20Jancis RobinsonDrinking Window: Drink 2022-2030
