Château Brane-Cantenac 2024

Expressive, aromatic, wild berries, dried herbs, sour cherries, almost Pinot-like in expression; silky on the palate, velvety tannins, lively acidity, crisp fruit, light-footed, balanced, long finish, citrusy aftertones. A delicate Brane, clearly less concentrated than in the great vintages; here, the focus was entirely on elegance.

Ripe and concentrated aromas, you can feel the blackcurrant and cherry fruit, dark and full of aromatic intensity. Really welcoming. Bright and lively in the mouth, an instant hit of sweet juiciness with high acidity giving immediate lift. It’s not plush, more sleek and svelte. More linear than recent vintages of course but lifted with careful extraction and lovely definition. A happy wine. Really makes you smile and one you want to finish. More overt acidity than some — racy — but I love the intense freshness and precision on offer, and this grows in stature with time in the glass. 40% grand vin production. Ageing 80% new oak instead of 100%, probably 18 months in barrel. Tasted twice. 11.3% press wine. 3.53 pH.

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Deep crimson hue. Refined nose with a spicy top note. Lovely fragrance on the palate, the tannins ripe and refined. Freshness and persistence on the finish. Lots of charm. (JL)

Tons of energy, stone fruits, cherry pits, damson, a lovely feeling of fruit that has plenty of life ahead it, fresh and juicy with sapidity. Not trying too hard, just full of pleasure. Edge of grilled campfire, graphite, generosity—easily one of the wines of the vintage. 11.3% press wine, 3.53 pH, 46.6 hl/ha yield. Harvest 17 September to 8 October, 80% new oak for ageing.

Dark, deep, intense purple color. Very aromatic nose—fine, fruity, subtle, pure and complex. One of the most refined of the vintage. Notes of cherry and licorice when the glass is swirled. Meticulous on entry, building into an intensely aromatic mid-palate, with real class in the texture and a slender, poised frame that melts, melts, then weaves itself in with great softness—long and subtle, with plenty of flavor and nobility. You don’t want to spit it out. With its modest alcohol level of 12.6%, this wine will be a sensation at the table! Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Press wine: 11.3%. Alcohol: 12.6% – pH: 3.53. 37% of the harvest.

Red currants, cherries, flowers, Asian spice, tobacco leaves, and hints of cedar shine in the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, the wine is a modern interpretation of their classic vintage styles. It presents a lively profile with purity in the fruits; however, these fruits, while clean and pure, exhibit a crisp, zesty edge. The finish leaves a touch of orange citrus atop the vibrant currants. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 11% press wine was added to the blend. 12.6% ABV, 3.53 pH. The harvest took place from September 17 - October 8. The Grand Vin was produced from only 37% of the harvest. Drink from 2029-2055. 92-94 Pts