Château Brane-Cantenac 2008

Very promising aromatics, an elegant, well-balanced texture, and a long, fresh finish of ripe berries; sheer delight.

This stunning, evolved, dark plum/ruby-hued 2008 reveals aromas of forest floor, sweet black and red currants, licorice and roasted herbs. Classic, elegant and medium to full-bodied, it provides a sexy, complex, intellectual as well as hedonistic turn-on. Drink this delicious Margaux over the next 12–15+ years.

Tangy and fresh, with lilac and red currant flavors laced with sweet tobacco and a lively iron note on the finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 11,000 cases made.

Some tertiary notes are evident here, which surprises me a bit, but there's plenty of beauty to this wine. It gives flavours of undergrowth, brambles, soft liquorice, almonds and spice—overall a soft and subtle expression of Margaux at a decade old. There are suggestions here that the fruit wasn't quite ripe enough, although I feel certain that it's not going anywhere for another decade or so.

A lean and firm wine with racy tannins that give it a sleek and exciting texture. Medium to full body, plus currants and cedar character. Needs more time to soften. Best in 2016.

The 2008 Brane-Cantenac is still marked by eucalyptus scents on the nose, though not as pronounced as in the bottle I tasted several years ago. Quite fresh with a decent amount of blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, it gradually becomes more pastille-like in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a keen line of acidity and notes of black tea and bay leaf towards the finish. However, this vintage is hobbled by a lack of complexity and terroir expression. It does not have the charm and personality of maybe even the 2007. I cannot see this going anywhere. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.

Showing its age in the color, the developing nose offers wet earth, espresso and red fruits. The wine is medium bodied, with barely a tannic edge remaining to the sweet cherries on the palate. Just a few more years will add even more softness and complexity to the wine. The wine was made from blending 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Bright garnet with bluish highlights. Spicy, peppery mulberry bouquet, a fine hint of eucalyptus, with black currant in the background. Juicy, very fine palate, polished tannins, leaving a slightly green note—not distracting, but spicy.

Bright garnet with bluish reflections. Spicy, peppery mulberry bouquet, a delicate hint of eucalyptus, followed by blackcurrant notes. Juicy, very fine palate, the tannins feel polished, with a touch of light greenness that doesn’t distract but adds savory spice.

Unfortunately, a bad bottle once again, from a vintage that was mediocre for corks. This assessment will need to be revisited with other bottles.

Suave, elegant, red fruit, medium length, slight firmness on the finish, a touch of dilution.

The nose is fresh, delicate, fairly elegant and quite fruity. It reveals notes of oak, dark chocolate/mocha, blackberry and wild strawberry, with subtle hints of racy minerality/flint, crushed blackcurrant, a discreet touch of crushed raspberry, very subtle hints of Cubeb pepper and fine toasty nuances. The palate is fruity, fine, juicy, elegant, round and smooth, offering lovely finesse, an acidic backbone, a little tension, racy minerality, suavity, well-judged power, beautiful definition, depth, fine concentration and a subtle juiciness on the finish. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of blackberry and crisp strawberry, with fine notes of raspberry and redcurrant, combined with a discreet touch of blackcurrant, black cherry, fine notes of dark chocolate/cocoa and oak, as well as a very discreet hint of liquorice (in the background) and an imperceptible touch of clove (in the background). The tannins are fine and supple. The finish is suave. Good length and persistence.

Evolved colour of medium intensity. Subtle nose with ripe, creamy fruit and “blond” oak. Gentle, airy palate with fine tannins and a perfumed finish. A suave, delicate whole, lacking a bit of punch due to hail. Best enjoyed slightly chilled in summer. Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.

Refined nose with minty, peppery notes; a racy, taut palate, lively yet with a lovely smooth, polished texture, fresh, highly aromatic tannins. A beautiful, expressive finish— a wine full of life.

Solid wine, dark, firm and powerful. The black currant fruits shear through the tannic texture, giving a wine that is juicy, fresh, structured and definitely for aging.