Château Brane-Cantenac 2015

Undoubtedly the greatest Brane ever bottled: immense aromatic complexity, with an unprecedented balance of ripeness and freshness, florality and fruitiness, perfectly ripe tannins of absolute class, unobtrusive density and depth, and an endless finish—the absolute must of the year.

Silky and refined, with seductive crushed plum and raspberry fruit that glides along, perfectly melded with singed alder and mesquite notes along with black tea and warm licorice details. A violet element hangs in the background, adding to the elegance. Best from 2020 through 2035. 12,500 cases made.

Right from the attack this has beautiful intensity and focus, with tannins cloaked in a layer of silk. A dash of violet and white pepper comes in from the Carmenère and Cabernet Franc two-step (from now on you can expect this partnership to appear more regularly). This is frankly delicious, the generous berry fruits reverberating with some wonderful notes of coffee bean and charcoal smoke, outlined by a mouthwatering minerality. A step up in poise and texture from 2014. 39% of production.

Quite impressive ripe dark plums and blackberries with sweet, earthy depth and cedary background oak on the nose. The palate has smooth, slick tannins that carry rich dark fruit long and fresh. This has terrific energy and depth. Really vibrant. Incredible length. Drink from 2022.

The 2015 Brane-Cantenac is powerful, structured and explosive in feel. A deep, resonant wine, the 2015 boasts off-the-charts ripeness allied to formidable structure and tannic heft. I imagine the 2015 is going to need a number of years to become approachable and more than that to be at its best. The dark stone fruit, smoke, tobacco, spice and leather flavors pack a huge punch, but it is the wine's balance that places it among the elite on the Left Bank in 2015. Brane-Cantenac is a total pleasure bomb. I can't wait to taste it with a little bottle age.

Smoke, tobacco leaves, roses, licorice, and a mélange of cherries fill your nose with little effort. As good as the perfume is, the palate is even better. Rich, silky, vibrant, and soft, the touch of salt on the back end really adds to the wine’s layers of silky, round blackberries and cherries, with a dash of chocolate that arrives at the end. At 10 years of age, 2 hours in the decanter add a lot to the wine. Drink from 2025–2055.

Dark ruby, with purple reflections and a subtle bright rim. Delicate tobacco aroma underpinning black berry fruit, with a savoury herbal touch and vegetal hints. Juicy, complex, blackberry, with somewhat brittle tannins, a touch of lemony minerality on the finish, and a salty aftertaste.

The 2015 Château Brane-Cantenac checks in as a mix of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Carmenere brought up in roughly 75% new French oak. This medium to full-bodied beauty excels on all accounts and gives up gorgeous notes of blackcurrants, lead pencil, spice and hints of toasted bread. Polished, impeccably balanced, concentrated, and with ripe tannin, it’s a rock star in 2015 that can be drunk young or cellared for 20-25 years. Bravo!

Dark purple. Deep bouquet, fine smoky notes, truffle, licorice, Darjeeling, dark leather, then blackberry notes. The nose is, however, (still) not very expressive. On the palate, velvety and dense, with an intense extract that doesn’t feel over-extracted, drawing incredibly from its depth. Despite its enormous concentration, it will develop towards finesse. For me, this is the best Brane-Cantenac and thus the first to deserve 19/20, an assessment it will prove, albeit rather late. This places it on the level of Margaux, Palmer and du Tertre, clearly demonstrating the roller-coaster of rankings in this vintage.

Extremely dark purple with lilac and violet highlights. Deep bouquet, fine smoky notes, truffle, licorice, Darjeeling, dark leather, then blackberry notes. The nose is, however, (still) not very expressive. On the palate, velvety and dense, showing an intense extract without feeling extracted, drawing incredibly from its depth. Despite its enormous concentration, it will establish itself in the finesse category. For me, this is the best Brane-Cantenac and thus the first to deserve 19/20, and it will prove this, albeit relatively late. Thus, it stands on the level of Margaux, Palmer and du Tertre, which clearly illustrates the roller-coaster of this vintage’s ranking. (19/20). 18: Deep ruby-purple, violet highlights. Aromatic bouquet; elderberry and blackberry notes, with dark chocolate behind, suggesting fine density and already coming across as regal on the nose. Creamy palate, velvety texture, the tannins are very fine, giving this very noble Margaux a highly elegant style. Aromatic, elegant finish. A Brane-Cantenac that ranks among the best of its “career.” 19/20

Mineral, profound and complex bouquet: black berries, currants, subtle plum, licorice, tobacco, black tea, mahogany. Dense, elegant, multi-layered palate with plenty of fine tannins, velvety texture, full fruit, dense and varied aromatics, elegant, dense, finely muscular profile, very long, full, powerful finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2024 - 2045

Lush and intense, with grip and expansion across the palate; this is expertly put together, great quality, with gentle white pepper spice, fragrant smoked cumin, crushed raspberry and red cherry, peony and roses, smoked earth and black tea. Owner Henri Lurton, technical director Christophe Capdeville.

The 2015 Brane-Cantenac is made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carmenere. Deep garnet-purple colored, it storms out with powerful notes of blackberry pie, blueberry compote, and kirsch, plus suggestions of cardamom, menthol, lavender, and roses, plus a hint of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is finely textured with great freshness and lots of perfume on the long finish.

A subtle, ripe bouquet lifted by very elegant smoky oak and splendid floral notes, with a voluptuous body of sleek, dynamic depth. Brane-Cantenac continues its serene path of excellence, now placing it at the very top of the Bordeaux stage.

It is now opening up, releasing a sweet fruit character and irresistibly silky tannins.

Dark garnet colour. Lovely, delicate nose. The wine shows great elegance with ultra-fine tannins; it is long and refined, with a slightly herbal finish that brings freshness. A great success.

The 2015 remains as charming, inviting, and complete as ever. It creates a magnificent symbiosis of sweetness, power, elegance, and breadth. Chocolate nuances mixed with roasted notes and black berries are omnipresent, both on the nose and on the palate. A delicious wine, in great shape, to enjoy today and the day after tomorrow!

What a marvel! Tasted three times since October 2021, it has always surprised me with the depth, smoothness, and complexity of its nose. On the palate, it’s all melting flesh and fragrance, with a meticulous and very noble texture. A truly great wine. I invite you to taste it.

Rich, fruity and with great potential, this ripe wine is also dense with firm tannins. Its juicy fruits are a part of a package with the concentrated tannins and smoky wood flavors that allow for long aging. This is an impressive wine from one of the Margaux properties owned by the Lurton family. Drink from 2025.