Cantenac Brown 2008

A beautiful effort, the medium to full-bodied 2008 demonstrates the resurgence in quality being enjoyed by this long-time Margaux underachiever. Perfumed aromas of licorice, spring flowers, black currants and subtle oak are followed by a soft, round, opulent, sexy, generous, savory wine revealing no hard edges. Enjoy this pure, seductive 2008 over the next 12-15 years

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. There is always one wine that under blind conditions, makes you regret ones pithy, disparaging scores mercilessly dished out in the past. This year, it is the turn of Château Cantenac Brown. Here, it has a very refined bouquet with macerated dark cherries, vanilla and violets that is very pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tensile tannins, very focused with an almost understated finish with silky mouthfeel. Very well crafted and I hope to verify this note in the future. Tasted January 2012.

For producing the finest Cantenac-Brown I have ever tasted, kudos go to the new administration and proprietor. This property has always produced a rustic, austere wine with too much tannin and muscle for its delicate Margaux personality. However, in 2008 the tannin has been tamed, and it is now sweet, ripe, and well-integrated. The wine exhibits a dense purple color in addition to a ripe bouquet of black fruits, licorice, smoke, and underbrush. It is a medium-bodied, classic Margaux that will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age, and should keep for 20-25 years.