On Sale: $79.94 (was: $99.94)*
When looking for an old school, more intellectual style of Bordeaux, Chateau Brane-Cantenac is a favorite of ours, as this classified growth can still be had for under a hundred bucks and its crisp and nuanced character just keeps getting better with age. This is a rare price for bottlings with some age from this property, all the better since the 2012 is just now entering the long, two decade drinking window per Vinous and Decanter. This is an exceptionally well-priced bottle of Margaux, and the sort of old-fashioned claret that we just can’t get enough of at the dinner table.
Brane-Cantenac has been called the 'Pauillac of Margaux', and it has always needed more time than its peers to really show well. The chateau has really hit its stride in the new millennium thanks to Henri Lurton, who has turned things around in a big way without sacrificing its well loved house style. The struggle of course is that at its best, Brane-Cantenac has always been a “long distance runner” (Vinous), which is “part of its DNA, why people love it.” Long time fans of the estate, or anyone looking for that throwback style of Bordeaux should get their hands on as much of this perfectly aged 2012 as they can. Cheers!
93 points, Decanter: "It remains extremely well knitted together, showing excellent structure and spice, full of carefully placed, controlled cassis fruits joined by touches of cigar box and grilled almonds. The tannins are still gripping tightly around the fruit, so give it another three or four years. (Drink between 2022-2040)"
92 points, Vinous: "It has a straight-down-the-fairway, classic nose for this estate, featuring open tobacco and graphite aromas that display great vivacity. You would think this was a Pauillac if tasted blind. The medium-bodied palate is more saline compared to previous bottles, delivering fine tannin and a tang of white pepper and fennel toward the finish that lingers in the mouth. This was a big surprise, but the 2012s have really blossomed in bottle, and this is no different...Drink 2021-2045 (Neal Martin)"
*Offer publication date January 16, 2022. Pricing and availability subject to change.