Château Brane-Cantenac, 2023

"Readers looking for one of the hidden gems in the vintage should jump on the 2023 Château Brane-Cantenac, an incredibly impressive Margaux that does everything right. Cassis, graphite, violets, lead pencil, and leafy tobacco notes all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with classy, integrated oak, flawless balance, and fine tannins. I love its overall purity, as well as its balance, and it should need just 4-5 years of bottle age to show its potential. Tasted twice."

"Cuban cigars, cedar, cassis, spice, forest floor, and flowers open the perfume. On the palate, the wine shines with its silky textures, vibrancy, and hints of salty rocks that ride along effortlessly, with its layers of, sweet, ripe, black with red fruits. There is length, and refinement. Taking close to 1 month to harvest is what the difference with 2023. This is another vintage that Brane Cantenac lovers should have in their cellars. The wine blends 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenere. 13.5% ABV, 3.77 pH. The harvest took place September 4 - October 2. The Grand Vin was produced from only 40% of the harvest."

"A great aromatic hit on the opening beats, giving way to silky tannins, spiced plum, rhubarb and slate, cassis and bilberry fruit, all showing depth and intensity. Such an accomplished wine, once again showing how it's done. 100% new oak for malolactic and ageing, 8 coopers, 28 different toasts. 45.7hl/h yields, which is generous for this vintage in the Margaux appellation. Harvest September 14 to October 2. 3.59ph."