| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Margaux |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This estate was classified a 3rd growth (like Palmer) in 1855. It is 60 hectares and planted 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. 60% new oak. A second wine is produced here called "Brio".
A few years ago, this estate purchased 22 additional hectares in the heart of the plateau of Margaux, including old vine Cabernet Sauvignon that is now making an appreciable contribution to the blend, and that helps to explain why the 2022 Cantenac Brown is so good. Unwinding in the glass with notes of dark berries, plums, charcoal, pencil shavings and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and elegantly muscular, with a layered core, refined tannins and a penetrating finish. The finest wine that José Sanfins has produced to date, the 2022 only improved during the several weeks I spent in Bordeaux. It's a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot.
The 2022 Cantenac Brown has an elegant nose, showing pure black cherry, wild strawberry, blackcurrant pastilles and cedar aromas. I appreciate the mineralité here. The palate is medium-bodied with supple but firm tannins, nicely structured. There's a crescendo of fruit toward the mineral-driven finish. Cohesive and full of character, this is another superb Margaux from an estate in the ascendant under winemaker José Sanfins. 2030-2070
An impressive performer this year, this offers a fragrant, ripe nose of cherry blossom, roasted plum and sweet red berries. This is the same on the palate, which has a silky texture with fruits to the fore. Approachable and juicy, this is a joy already and should be delicious to drink from a relatively early stage. Midweight and lightly spicy, it is well balanced, with just enough clacissism on a savoury finish.
A solid Margaux with creamy and fine tannins that spread across the palate. Medium-bodied, layered and already delicious. Hints of dried citrus at the end.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Cantenac Brown spills from the glass with expressive scents of cassis, blueberry pie, and Morello cherries, followed by touches of lavender and cinnamon stick. The medium to full-bodied palate has an impressive amount of vibrant red and black fruit layers with fine-grained tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
A real golden patch for the Cantenac Brown team, with ever increasing confidence in extraction and expression, plenty of floral edges with inky plum and a vibrant violet rim. Things are pretty intense, with aromatics that are highly charged, with fresh acidities, intense violet and plum, good quality, rich and ripped texture. This is a good quality wine with heavy tannin imprint on the finish, and decades ahead of it. Fingerprints of the vintage, delivered with deft precision. 60% new oak barrels, 40% one vintage barrels for ageing.
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot. Undergoing massive renovation currently by the new owners. Hoping to be ready for the 2023 harvest. Cask sample.
Very deep purple. Juicy, perfumed nose. Very polished tannins and some real concentration. Pretty good wine, even if it was made in a cellar in transition. Some Margaux suavity. And quite a charge of well-managed tannin. 13.7%
Drink 2028– 2042
