Château Brane-Cantenac 2005

A sexy, style of wine from the Lurtons at Brane-Cantenac, this wine (a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc) has a stunning nose of forest floor, licorice, blackcurrants, plums and spring flowers. Soft tannin, full-bodied opulence and beautifully textured, lush richness, make for a brilliant wine from this large, 180-acre vineyard. In spite of the wine’s stunning forward fragrance and lushness, the color still looks as if it is 3-4 years old, rather than a decade. This is a big-time winner in 2005 and should drink well for at least another 25+ years.

Shows mineral and blackberry aromas, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a long, smoky, earthy, meaty and fruity aftertaste. Long and stylish. Very refined and beautiful. Best after 2012. 15,000 cases made.

With its classic Left Bank profile, this blend of 51% Cabernet and 43% Merlot along with 8% Cabernet Franc, aged in 70% new casks, opened with a hint of tomato and slightly herbal notes at first, but gradually developed aromas of redcurrant, bright cherries, and spice. The palate texture was dense and tannic, pointing to promising future development—surprisingly good value.

The 2005 Brane-Cantenac is fabulous. Effusive and explosive to the core, the 2005 possesses tremendous energy and pedigree. Crushed flowers, mint, gravel, red/purplish fruit, sage and mocha abound. In 2005 Brane-Cantenac is remarkably deep and vivid. It also comes across as needing a bit more time to soften. Readers will find one of the most distinguished wines of the Left Bank. I especially admire its drive and mid-weight classicism. Hints of cedar and sweet pipe tobacco linger.

There is a slight bricking to the color as the wine matures. Tobacco leaf, currants, cedar, and garrigue shape the nose. Silky, supple, and seductive on the medium-bodied palate, the fruit is soft, ripe, and fresh, with dusty tannins on the finish. Drink from 2022–2045.

Medium-dark garnet, ruby rim. Comfortingly fragrant, blackberry-scented bouquet, underpinned by dark fine woods, elegant and noble. Juicy palate, already surprisingly well-structured, again with blueberry notes, licorice on the long finish. Not a fleshy or even rich wine, but an elegant yet ageworthy classic that, however, lacks a bit of drive.

Medium-dark garnet, ruby rim. Comfortingly fragrant, bramble-scented bouquet, underpinned by dark noble woods, elegant and refined. Juicy palate, already surprisingly fine in structure, again blueberry notes, with licorice on the long finish. Not a fleshy or even rich wine, but an elegant and yet long-lived classic that lacks a bit of drive. 07: Delicate, fresh, lovely spice. Feels slender on the palate but as elegant as a Chambertin (17/20). 19: At a dinner at the château. It’s not about power, but finesse. For the first time it truly gave me joy. My favorite was the fifth glass. I would decant it for two hours.

Ruby red, this remains closed on the nose, and the tannic structure is still tight at 17 years old, proof that 2005 retains its ability to frustrate, but the hints of mature notes are finally becoming clear. So much potential and subdued power, linear, focused, great clarity of cassis and bilberry fruit, with 2005 energy showing a core of ripe fruit, tobacco and truffle. Excellent tension and balance, a tightrope walk through the palate here, edges of mandarin peel, raspberry leaf and eucalyptus showing that it wasn't a vintage that delivered overripe fruit, but balance and focus. It needs a little longer to fully express its potential.

Made from 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc, the 2005 Brane-Cantenac is deep garnet in color with a touch of brick. It bursts from the glass with maturing notes of plum pudding, raisin cake, and redcurrant jelly, plus hints of tree bark, unsmoked cigars, truffles, and tapenade with a waft of spice box. Medium-bodied, firm, and grainy with amazing tension, it coats the mouth with evolved black and red berry flavors, finishing long and mineral-laced.

Expressive nose with lovely fruit maturity, a complex profile of spices and exotic woods, and cigar box notes. The palate is dense and full-bodied, with richness, fleshy spicy tannins that are perfectly integrated, and a complex, showy finish. In great form.

Dark, intense colour with slight evolution. Very aromatic nose, ripe fruit, with an animal hint. The overall impression is a bit cool. The palate is both dense and suave, developing with savoury notes on a caressing body, with a slight sense of tightness on the finish. Normal length. Here, the texture is less refined than in the younger vintages.

The fruit has become the main attraction here—layers of ripeness, tempered with an elegant smoothness. The tannins are certainly present in this powerful wine, but they are here to lend support, not dominate. With herbs and very clean black fruits, this is a wine to follow.