Alcohol: 14%
Grape(s): Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Location: Bordeaux, France
Tasting Notes: Very expressive nose, bursting with strawberry and cherry aromas, with floral and vanilla hints. Sweet and subtle attack on the palate, very round-bodied, with a velvety texture and a long aromatic finish. Charming wine with a lot of freshness and lovely soft tannins.
The Domain: Chateau Brane Cantenac started out in the early 17th century. At the time, the small estate was known as Domaine Guilhem Hosten. Even in those days, wine was produced from the property. The vineyards and estate were developed by the owner in the late 1700s, the Gorce family.
In fact, even back then, their wine was so highly regarded, it was one of the more expensive wines in all of Bordeaux selling for almost as much money as Brane Mouton. This is interesting because of who went on to buy the vineyard in the 1800s.
The Baron of Brane, also known as “Napoleon of the Vineyards”, purchased the chateau in 1833. At the time of the sale, the estate was called Chateau Gorce-Guy. To obtain the funds needed to purchase the vineyard, the Baron sold what is now called Chateau Mouton Rothschild, which was at the time of the sale was known as Chateau Brane-Mouton.
In 1838, the Baron renamed the property, merging his name with the name of the sector where the vineyards were located, calling it Chateau Brane Cantenac. The chateau later passed to the Roy family, who were well-known in the Margaux appellation in those days, as they owned Chateau dIssan as well.
Jumping into the next century, in 1920, the Societe des Grands Crus de France, a group of merchants and growers that owned several chateaux located in the Medoc including; Chateau Margaux, Chateau Giscours, and Chateau Lagrange in St. Julien, purchased Chateau Brane Cantenac.
Chateau Brane Cantenac The Modern Era
Five years later, M. Recapet and his son-in-law, François Lurton, took over Brane Cantenac along with Chateau Margaux. Lucien Lurton (the son of François Lurton) inherited Brane Cantenac in 1956. Today, the estate is still in the hands of the Lurton family. Brane Cantenac is currently owned and more than ably managed by the capable, Henri Lurton.
After being given the responsibility of managing Brane Cantenac, it was under the direction of Henri Lurton that large portions of the vineyard were replanted. Vine densities were increased, the drainage systems were improved and the plantings were also, slowly changed to their current plantings.
Chateau Brane Cantenac took time to excel. But starting with the 2009 vintage, every year has seen vast improvements in character and quality. 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020 are, however, the best wines produced in the long history of the estate.
