99pts Jeb Dunnuck

A brilliant, borderline perfect wine, the 2022 Château Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère, and 1% Petit Verdot that was aged 18 months in 100% new French oak. Insanely good blue fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and damp earth define the aromatics, and it builds beautifully with air, showing intensity, depth, purity, and complexity. Just gorgeous on the palate as well, it's full-bodied and has a deep, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and flawless balance. Back up the truck on this beauty. It will have a broad drinking window and should cruise for 40+ years. Drink 2026-2066. The 2022 was harvested from September 7 to October 10, hitting 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.61.

Description

Margaux de Brane is a wine for pleasure, and its tasting bears witness to this. It has a deep, brilliant purple color. The initial nose is dominated by notes of black fruit such as blackberry and blackcurrant. It is enriched by finely toasted and roasted aromas and hints of red fruit. From the outset, the wine is very round on the palate. It is balanced, full-bodied and fleshy. The smooth finish lengthens the silky, unctuous tannic structure.

Blend: 72% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon