“One of this vintage’s best values.” – Vinous

Brane Cantenac has a reputation that precedes them. Every En Primeur campaign, for instance, they open older vintages for visitors, unlike many other Château who just pour the upcoming vintage of the campaign. The long-lasting finishes of the 1983, 1985, and 1986 are still with me. Such generosity and longevity are truly hard to find in the world’s most renowned fine wine region.

Mind you, not only are we in MARGAUX where just that name evokes the very best, but Brane-Cantenac is a super-second in the Margaux-Cantenac sector, crowned by Château Margaux the First Growth. That untouchable, by the bottle, is now worth this insane bargain by the full case! 🤯

The Château’s original name was Brane-Mouton. A part of the land was sold to the Rothschild family in 1833, then owned by the Baron of Brane, aka ‘the Napoleon of the vineyards,’ when the current parcel was retitled as Brane-Cantenac. Today it is one of many Bordeaux properties in the control of the Lurton family, owned and managed by the Henri Lurton branch. Colloquially, Brane-Cantenac is regarded as ‘the Pauillac of Margaux,’ for the delicate finesse and sheer power it deftly and consistently delivers.

Vinous is right: “There seems to be no stopping Henri Lurton and his team at Brane-Cantenac. Like a musician who has found that perfect groove, the wines have reached a higher level of quality.”

Before prices reflect that, this overlooked vintage with a DOZEN years of glorious aging in the cellars of Bordeaux at this insanely approachable $85 a bottle may never come back the same way again.

95 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast “This is a complete wine, full of both tannins and great swathes of ripe fruit. It has a serious side as well in its solid structure and concentration. The juicy blackberry fruits are beginning to calm down and meld into a fine dense wine that will age very well. Drink from 2025.”

94 Points – Vinous “The 2014 Brane-Cantenac has an upfront, opulent bouquet with vibrant black fruit, touches of meat juices, mint and potpourri. One of the more complex aromatics within the Margaux flight. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, lightly spiced with a dash of black pepper. This builds in the mouth towards a structured and impressive finish. This should age well in bottle and is a splendid display and one of this vintage’s best values. Drink 2024-2040.”

93 Points – The Wine Independent “Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 Brane-Cantenac leaps with vivacious notes of kirsch and redcurrant jelly followed by hints of dried mint, forest floor, and black pepper. The medium-bodied palate is vibrant and refreshing, with fine-grained tannins and a perfumed finish. Drink 2022-2037.”

93 Points – The Wine Palate “A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2014 Brane-Cantenac is deep garnet in color. It gallops out of the glass with notes of baked plums and cassis, plus hints of mossy tree bark, tar, and dried roses, plus a hint of charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied, firm, and grainy, the palate has a lively line cutting through the dense black fruits, finishing long with a peppery kick. Drink 2022-2037.”