Community Tasting Note

Cailles wrote:

Sunday, November 19, 2023 - 20 Vintages of Brane Cantenac: My limited experience with Brane has been mostly positive, and this tasting confirmed my initial thoughts: these days, Brane is A) usually quite accessible and charming, even young; B) the quality has steadily improved over the years, the wines are becoming more complex, precise and balanced; while vintages pre 2015 often seemed a bit simple, more recent vintages show better, C) the aromatics in recent vintages remind me of Ch. Margaux, with beautiful ripe red fruit core, as well as floral and coffee components; and D) the quality/price ratio is exceptionally good (not considered for the ratings). E) The best wine was the ethereal 2020 (96 points), followed by a superbly fresh 2010 (95 points). Although the quality is exceptional these days, the Chateau didn't fully nail every vintage, the 2019 (93pts) and, more surprisingly, the 2016 (93pts) were strong but a tad too ripe and sweet.

TN: This was the best wine in the first flight (55/82/83), a touch above the almost equally good 1983. The 1989 vintage with lots of fine fruit and a seductive character is on full display: The bouquet shows intense dark fruit and some burnt sugar notes. With time some medicinal notes. Not very complex but inviting. The palate displays a complex dark berry core with burnt sugar notes, fresh herbs and crushed rocks. Quite complete and balanced with a melted tannin structure and good tension and freshness. Easily 93+pts.

Decanting: Not decanted. It seemed that this vintage doesn’t need much air. A short decant should be sufficient.

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