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| | Vintage | 2012 |  Label 1 of 228 
 | | Type | Red | | Producer | Château Cantenac Brown (web) | | Variety | Red Bordeaux Blend | | Designation | n/a | | Vineyard | n/a | | Country | France | | Region | Bordeaux | | SubRegion | Médoc | | Appellation | Margaux | | UPC Code(s) | 3364420054805, 3374830051004, 3475380078364, 3700188032943, 3760020112851, 3760020112882, 3760020113346, 3760114632166, 639737586398, 649185934122, 649944150862, 810039201657 |
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 79 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Ranjack on 4/5/2024 & rated 91 points: This has fleshed out nicely over the past year. Delicious bing cherry and plummy notes. No hurry on this one. (718 views) | | | Tasted by Caudalix on 3/10/2024 & rated 89 points: Bouteille 3/6 d’un lot acquis en primeur.
Bouchon en parfait état, nez plutôt classique mais somme toute assez peu expressif. Robe encore peu évoluée. On voit au dépôt dans la bouteille que les tanins se sont bien assemblés. Pourtant, l’ensemble manque de complexité et l’acidité est trop présente. Équilibre pas top. Peut-être est-il encore trop jeune… (736 views) | | | Tasted by CWilliam on 1/27/2024: Drank over 2 nights - better on night 2 so decant for a few hours if drinking now. Didn't note color - on nose, blackberry, black currants, floral and black cherry. Medium+ body, medium acidity, medium tannins and long, persistent finish. 91+
This has aged well. Probably a few years from peak. (998 views) | | | Tasted by kostaslonis on 1/24/2024: Tasting Ground official tasting, Chateau Cantenac Brown vertical tasting (Oinoscent): 65% Cab Sauvignon 35% Merlot, 14 months French oak
(60% new, 40% 1st use)
Harvest dates:
Merlot 01-12/10
Cab Sauvignon 08-17/10
13.50% alc
-/-
Bottle open 09.20 tasted 11.20
Thicker in the nose than 2011, mostly red fruit, currant, strawberry notes, spice notes, coffee notes
Palate with red fruit, a touch of alcohol warmth, dried fruit, not as lean as 2011 but still lacking some concentration and complexity, the oak stands taller in the equation. (1123 views) | | | Tasted by ChristoBretts on 11/22/2023 & rated 91 points: Decanted and drank over two days. Dark fruit and some smoke on the nose; the smoke dissipated a bit on day two. Black fruit and iron, medium acidity and tannin, medium length. Decent wine for the vintage, a daily drinker for me. Likely better wine out there for today's price point, still enjoyable however. (1364 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 9/30/2023: Now here seems a step up from the immediate past wines. More definition on the nose, more complexity, more going on. One the palate that holds true as well. Still kinda just a baby, but also just opened as well. (1567 views) | | | Tasted by brewnello on 9/5/2023 & rated 91 points: Coravin day 1: a little gravel on nose. Blackberries, vegetal notes with herbs and dried flowers. Low acid and resolved tanins. Prunes. Dark color. (1313 views) | | | Tasted by KNNOngQW on 5/5/2023 & rated 92 points: On the nose
Black cherries, earth, spice
Smells very tinge of sweet
Palette
Herbs
Black cherries
Black currant
Hints licorice/pepper
Vanilla
Med acidity (1547 views) | | | Tasted by buffyst on 4/6/2023 & rated 91 points: Agree with AGUNNER23. In a sweet spot. Brief decant. 13.5% abv. Drink now. Day 2: Plumpy developed a delightful chocolate-raspberry note overnight! 92. (1608 views) | | | Tasted by Jeanda on 12/26/2022 & rated 92 points: Ma précédente dégustation - 12.11.2022 - avait été très décevante : alcool, tanins et acidité étaient tellement proéminents et sans harmonie que cela rendait le vin imbuvable. Heureusement que j'avais coraviné cette bouteille ! J'y suis d'abord retourné 2 fois à quelques semaines d'intervalle avec le même triste résultat. La 4e tentative fut la bonne : tout était maintenant parfaitement en équilibre, avec un beau fruité noir et une pointe de crayon. Peut-être ce vin n'est il pas encore en place, mieux vaut attendre 3 ans. J'ai parfois l'impression que le coravin, surtout utilisé à plusieurs reprises sur une bouteille, tend à en précipiter le vieillissement, ce qui a servi dans ce cas-là. (1821 views) | | | Tasted by racerchris on 12/24/2022: Double decanted and drank over two evenings. While nice now, I think it will benefit from further cellaring. (1849 views) | | | Tasted by Agunner23 on 12/20/2022 & rated 92 points: This is in the sweet spot of the drinking window right now, great nose plenty of black fruit. Sadly that this was my last bottle. (1777 views) | | | Tasted by Jeanda on 11/12/2022 flawed bottle: Problème de bouteille ? Le vin n'a déjà plus de fruit, l'alcool et l'acidité ressortent trop. Tout paraît complètement dissocié. (1562 views) | | | Tasted by Caudalix on 5/14/2022: Le vin est en pleine évolution : le fruit en est au stade trop mûr. Encore 1-2 ans de patience et ça va devenir intéressant ! (2584 views) | | | Tasted by HWG99 on 3/21/2022 & rated 88 points: Powerful Spicy Hot Solid. This wine is more powerful than expected. Seemsvto be still very closed. Very average in general. (2399 views) | | | Tasted by houstonjeff@hotmail.com on 6/15/2021 & rated 91 points: solid (3910 views) | | | Tasted by Motz on 4/19/2021 & rated 93 points: Tasted over two days, alongside the 2015 Giscours.
No two ways about it: traditional, balanced, and satisfying.
Harmonious assemblage, with rustic Cabernet Sauvignon leading, accentuated powerfully by supple Merlot. Purple and red fruits, pepper garden, worn leather, cut tobacco, and layered mineral depth. Gripping Cabernet Sauvignon, with sumptuous textures enhanced by plush Merlot tannins. Balanced alcohol, and while the oak treatment could have been lighter, given this suave vintage, by overall standards, still judicious.
So, Margaux. The queen, right? Alongside the Giscours, which showed better overall, this delivered at least as much satisfaction, on account of its terroir-driven style. In these ways, this wine put my mind to an accomplished lover, who has innumerable charms to call upon. Pretty, though far from gorgeous, comfortable in her own skin, without the need to doll up, wholesomely seductive, and just a little slutty (when sluttiness will level up the experience), she knows exactly what to do to provide riveting pleasure...and exactly how to go about it.
That's my story...and I am stickin' to it! (4701 views) | | | Tasted by Christopherhoff on 3/27/2021 & rated 91 points: The wine looks violet colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. It smells like blueberry, forest floor, leather, black pepper and plum. It tastes like forest floor, black pepper, tobacco, blueberry and blackberry. The body is medium/full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity. (3577 views) | | | Tasted by hargy on 10/14/2020 & rated 91 points: this has put on more weight in the last six months - really quite delicious and may well improve from here - no rush (3923 views) | | | Tasted by wildcatjw97 on 10/3/2020 & rated 89 points: Decanted for 30 mins before tasting. Earthy nose. Some blackberry and fig. No fruit on the taste, more mineral coming through. Thought it would have more legs and be more astringent, but it’s rather light. A little too light for my tastes. (3424 views) | | | Tasted by Winedude10 on 5/12/2020 & rated 93 points: Dark red almost purple. You need to decant this wine, some sediment. Wine has many years of life in it still, but can drink. Drinks well now, dark fruits, cassis, hint of mint. Nice long finish, very nice wine. Wish I had more.... (3211 views) | | | Tasted by hargy on 2/21/2020 & rated 91 points: from a half - distinctly margaux, light, ready to drink and quite delicious - certainly not for the long haul so drink in the short to medium term (3176 views) | | | Tasted by racerchris on 11/30/2019 & rated 92 points: I really enjoyed the balance of spicy oak and rich dark fruit. Modest grip, medium length finish with perfect acidity. (3540 views) | | | Tasted by wineappellation on 9/28/2018 & rated 90 points: Bright mid ruby. Intermixing blackberry, bell pepper, violet, earth, sweet spices. On the light side on palate, more toastiness and blackcherry flavours emerge. Good acidity and balance. Easy to drink now. (4899 views) | | | Tasted by rossi.wine on 6/16/2018 & rated 91 points: Tasted after 2015. Pure and clean on the nose, good fruit, spices, tobacco, dark flowers. On the palate a little thin in comparison, less intensity and depth. The tannins are more obvious, the fruit is less abundant. Good length. 90-92 (5155 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Neal Martin
Vinous, Dive In: Cantenac Brown 1978-2018 (Oct 2022) (10/1/2022)
(Cantenac Brown Cantenac Brown Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jane Anson
Decanter, Château Cantenac Brown vertical (4/8/2020)
(Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jane Anson
Decanter, Margaux 2011 & 2012 (11/24/2018)
(Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Brook
Decanter, Decanter's November 2017 Fine Wine Encounter (11/11/2017)
(Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | The World of Fine Wine, December 2016, Issue #54
(Château Cantenac Brown 3ème Cru (13.5% Abv)) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/21/2016)
(Ch Cantenac Brown Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (10/23/2014)
(Ch Cantenac Brown Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Steven Spurrier
Decanter, Bordeaux 2012 results: Margaux (4/19/2013)
(Château Cantenac Brown, Margaux, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (4/12/2013)
(Ch Cantenac Brown Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Ian D'Agata
Vinous, April 2013, IWC Issue #168
(Chateau Cantenac Brown Margaux) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, April 2013 (4/1/2013)
(Château Cantenac-Brown Margaux Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Mar/Apr 2013, Issue #44, The 2012 Bordeaux Vintage: A Very Inconsistent, But Classically-Proportioned Year
(Château Cantenac-Brown) Login and sign up and see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Decanter and The World of Fine Wine and JancisRobinson.com and Winedoctor and View From the Cellar. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Cantenac Brown Producer website - Read more information about Chateau Cantenac BrownRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.Margaux Read more about Margaux and its wines As with a large part of the Bordeaux vineyards, vines first appeared in Margaux during the Gallo-Roman period.
In 1705 a text mentions Château Margaux . But we have to wait for the end of the eighteenth century and the coming of the earliest techniques in aging for the concept of wines of high quality to develop. The confirmation of this was the famous 1855 classification which recognized 21 Crus Classés in the Margaux appellation. One hundred years later, the Viticultural Federation and the Margaux appellation of controlled origin were born. The appellation, which stretches out over five communes, is actually unique in the Médoc in that it is the only one to contain all the range of wines, as rich as they are vast, from First Great Cru Classé to the Fifths, not forgetting its famous Crus Bourgeois and its Crus Artisans.
In Margaux there is a predominance of Garonne gravel on a central plateau of about 4 miles in length and one and a quarter wide. To the east-south-east, it overlooks the low lying land by the estuary. Its east side is marked by gentle, dry valleys and a succession of ridges.The layer of gravel in Margaux was spread out by a former Garonne in the early Quaternary. Rather large in size, it is mingled with shingle of average dimension and represents the finest ensemble of Günz gravel in the Haut-Médoc. It is on this ancient layer on a Tertiary terrace of limestone or clayey marl that the best Médoc crus lie. All the conditions for successful wine are present : a large amount of gravel and pebbles, poor soil which cannot retain water and deep rooted vines.
It is customary to say that Margaux wines are the "most feminine" in the Médoc, thus stressing their delicacy, suppleness and their fruity, elegant aromas. This does not affect their great propensity for aging; just the opposite, for the relatively thin terroir imparts tannins which give them long life. The other characteristic of these wines which combine an elegant vitality, subtlety and consistency, is their diversity and personality. Over and above the flavour which is their "common denominator", they present an exceptional palette of bouquets, fruity flavours which show up differently from one château to another.
Production conditions (Decree dated August 10 1954)
In order to have the right to the Margaux appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Margaux, Cantenac, Soussans, Arsac and Labarde, "excluding the land which by the nature of its soil or because of its situation, is unfit to produce wine of this appellation".
- satisfy precise production conditions: grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare).
Vins de Bordeaux:
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot
Soil: Gravel and silt plateau on a layer of limestone or silt on clay
Surface Area: 1,530 ha |
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