Château Brane-Cantenac 2024 en Primeur

Le millésime est largement dépassé : nez élégant, corps harmonieux, tannin délicat mais bien présent, un vin raffiné qui devrait convaincre les détracteurs habituels des vins de Bordeaux. Parfaite sélection et vinification.

Ripe and concentrated aromas, you can feel the blackcurrant and cherry fruit, dark and full of aromatic intensity. Really welcoming. Bright and lively in the mouth, an instant hit of sweet, juiciness with high acidity giving immediate lift. It’s not plush, more sleek and svelte. More linear than recent vintages of course but lifted with careful extraction and lovely definition. A happy wine. Really makes you smile and one you want to finish. More overt acidity than some - racy - but I love the intense freshness and precision on offer and this grows in stature with time in the glass. 40% grand vin production. Ageing 80% new oak instead of 100%, probably 18 months in barrel. Tasted twice. 11.3% press. 3.53pH.

The Grand Vin is based on 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc that included 11.3% of press, saw malolactic fermentation in barrel, and will spend 18 months in 80% new barrels. Its deeper ruby/purple hue is followed by a beautifully pure, layered, elegant, and medium-bodied Margaux that has both red and blue fruits, some violet, spicy wood, and cedar pencil nuances, fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. This hit 12.6% alcohol with a pH of 3.53.

A linear and focused wine with blackcurrants, cherries and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with polished tannins. Classy finish.

Une fois encore, il affiche un style explosif et spectaculairement fruité. Un vin superbe de précision, dessiné par des cabernets purs et ciselés, avec des tanins en dentelle et une finale juteuse. (Olivier Poels)

Vivid and creamy aromas of blue fruit and already some spices from oak. Plush and inviting. Quite rich in the mouth with well extracted tannins and enough fruit weight to hold the structure together. Rich sinewy long finish with great freshness. This will need some time to integrate fully but should be a '24 worth seeking out.