Château Cantenac Brown 2021

The fruit leaps from the glass—cassis, raspberries—along with floral notes, a perfume. Sleek and red-fruited on the palate, with fine-grained tannins and wonderful length. A Margaux delicacy with nerve and bite.

The 2021 Cantenac Brown has turned out very nicely in bottle, wafting from the glass with notes of dark berries and cherries mingled with hints of menthol, licorice and violets. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and seamless, with a layered core of fruit, sweet tannins and nicely integrated acids, it concludes with a delicately vanillin-inflected finish. This strong performance in a challenging season underlines this property's upward trajectory.

A pretty wine, with silky-edged black cherry and violet notes that glide through nicely, laced with black tea and a subtle savory edge. This shows enough energy to offset the vintage's austere edge. Well done. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2032. 8,750 cases made.

Gorgeous fragrance and florality on the nose with ripe and perfumed black fruit and some peony touches. Smooth and supple, nicely weighted with lovely finesse and concentration to the fruit—blackcurrant, cherry and raspberry—with really juicy acidity. A lovely almost creamy aspect to the texture with just grippy and spiced tannins towards the finish. Nice aspect of oak throughout showing the ageing potential. I like this a lot, well formed, well delivered. Easy to enjoy with tons of personality.

Dark chocolate, hazelnuts, tea leaves, herbs and dark berry fruit on the nose. It’s precise and focused, with tight, firm tannins that provide an elegant but solid structure. Sleek and long. 73% cabernet sauvignon and 27% merlot. Try from 2026.

The 2021 Cantenac Brown has commendable fruit intensity on the nose considering the growing season: blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone, touches of cedar and tobacco. The palate is well-balanced with a crisp bead of acidity, sapid in the mouth and harmonious, with a conspicuous marine influence toward the finish that holds your interest. This is a very well-crafted Margaux that should give 20 years of drinking pleasure.

Flowers, espresso, cigar box, black and red currants and cherry scents pop in the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, creamy and loaded with sweet, ripe, spicy, savory red fruits, silky tannins and a supple finish. This is very successful for the vintage. The wine is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. Drink from 2025-2044.

Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, subtle ochre brightening on the rim. An inviting bouquet with notes of ripe cherry, wild berry confit, orange zest and a hint of spice. Medium complexity with fine fruit expression, fresh acidity and a mineral-salty finish. Already approachable with definite ageing potential.

Both red and black fruits, chocolate, and some leafy herb notes all emerge from the 2021 Château Cantenac Brown, a nicely textured, medium-bodied, plump, rounded 2021 with good concentration and depth. It's not the most elegant Margaux out there, but I love the overall balance as well as its level of fruit and texture. It should keep for 10-12 years, if not longer. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, aged 16 months in 60% new oak.

Blackcurrant bouquet, freshly ground black mountain pepper, delicate lilac note and wild raspberry jelly. On the generous palate, a supple texture with supportive verve; then the tightly knit tannic framework grips and doesn’t let go, with a sinewy body. In the concentrated finish, the Margaux narrows, with dried sloe skin, juniper and a crumbly astringency.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot) Light, fresh bouquet with fine bitter notes, cherries, cassis, noble woods, fresh herbs, tobacco. Medium-bodied, delicately fruity palate with fresh, subtle fruit, good tannins, classic structure, powerful aromatics, long, refined finish.

(73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot) Light, fresh, delicately bitter bouquet, cherries, cassis, fine woods, fresh herbs, tobacco. Medium-bodied, delicately fruity palate with fresh, fine fruit, good tannins, classic structure, powerful aromatics, long, refined finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

Has settled in over ageing, showcasing the sculpted, savoury Cabernet of the year, finessed and savoury but with edges of gourmet cloves, black tea, and bitter chocolate; good quality, with lift and an appellation signature. 60% new oak barrels for ageing, and the oak is integrated and will age well. Jose Sanfins director, Eric Boissenot consultant.

The 2021 Cantenac Brown is deep garnet-purple in color. It jumps from the glass with notes of black cherries, blackcurrant jelly, and fragrant earth, with underlying hints of cedar and mossy stones. The medium-bodied palate delivers a great core of expressive fruit, with earthy nuances, a soft texture, and a refreshing finish.

The 2021 is very successful here, offering a very delicate wine with silky, refined tannins. It nonetheless has great tension on the palate, with clean, intense, and flavorful fruit. A promising, well-balanced whole.

A dark, mysterious wine that does not reveal its aromas on the nose. Fresh on the palate, with a multitude of tightly knit, juicy fruits. It still needs time to reach its full expression.

Beautiful deep dark purple color. Moderately intense, fruity nose. Supple on the attack, flavorful on the mid-palate, the wine develops with density and fullness for the vintage, with good flavor and present yet wrapped tannins. Normal length, with a touch of liveliness on the finish.

With a black-fruit jam profile, marked at this stage by a certain aromatic austerity, the wine stands between power and firmness. The palate is compact, energetic, focused on ripe fruit with violet and pepper notes, wrapped in firm, prominent tannins. The whole promises a fine future.