Brane Cantenac 2010

Today we are very pleased to be able to offer the leading Second Growth from Margaux, the impressive Brane-Cantenac. The 2010 vintage in Bordeaux was exceptional, especially favourable for the Left Bank, as Neal Martin wrote for The Wine Advocate, “the best 2010s on the Left Bank are some of the greatest wines you will ever drink.” Known for their robust structure these are the wines made to age and Chateau Brane-Cantenac 2010 is a brilliant example. Ten years after the release it is just entering its drinking window now, though most of the critics suggest to wait longer as the wine will evolve beautifully for at least another thirty years. Indeed, a stunning addition to any collection.

Robert Parker has granted this release with 95+ points, describing it as nothing less than gorgeous: “With a gorgeously evolved, extremely complex bouquet of forest floor, spring flowers, lead pencil shavings and red and black currants, this full-bodied, dense, ruby/plum/purple-colored wine hits the palate with an opulent, fleshy, full-bodied richness, silky tannins, and a very layered, profoundly concentrated style that is, at the same time, both powerful and sublime.” In a more recent review Lisa Perrotti-Brown indicates that bright fruit flavours of the wine have been enriched by complex tertiary aromas, “Scents of redcurrant jelly, kirsch and cassis plus nuances of forest floor, tree bark, fungi and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has bags of bright, energetic fruit with a grainy texture and tons of freshness, finishing long and perfumed,” whereas Jane Anson of Decanter considers the 2010 “Brilliant stuff, delicious layers of cassis, bilberry, touches of hawthorn and hedgerow giving plenty to sink your teeth into.”

Coming directly from the chateau cellars, the provenance and the perfect condition of these wines is unquestionable. Chateau Brane-Cantenac has seen a tremendous increase in both price and demand in the past decade, however today’s price of £495 In Bond per case of six or £990 per case of twelve In Bond still represents a great value compared to the other leading Second Growths. 
 

Chateau Brane-Cantenac was founded in the 18^th Century by the Gorce family. At the time it was one of the most expensive wines in Bordeaux, the same price as Chateau Mouton Rothschild’s contemporary incarnation. In fact, The Baron of Brane, known as the “Napoleon of the Vineyards” purchased Brane-Cantenanc in 1833, selling what was to become Mouton Rothschild in order to do so. It was then classified as a Second Growth in 1855. Today, it is owned by the Lurton family, run by Henri Lurton, who has replanted large swathes of vineyards and overhauled the winemaking procedure since taking over in 1992. The quality of recent vintages reflects the brilliant terroir that has been consistently producing one of the finest wines of Margaux. Around 11,000 cases are made every year.