Winemaker Notes
Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
91 Points
"Aromas of blackberry, cherry and light toasted oak. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a medium finish. Pretty wine. Balanced and refined. Best after 2011."
Wine Spectator
90 Points
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The richness and opulence of the fruit show the ripeness from a hot year. Aromas of mint, fruit and hints of bark and sandalwood. There is the restraint and balance you look for from Brane-Cantenac. Generous and medium- to full-bodied but juicy and nicely fluid, with good tannins. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 5% cabernet franc.
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc aged 18 months in 70% new French oak, the 2003 Château Brane-Cantenac comes from a scorching hot vintage dominated by a massive heat wave in August. Ripe red plums, mint, sappy flowers, and spice all shine in the aromatics. It's medium-bodied and ripe on the palate, yet it holds onto a solid sense of purity and liveliness. It's not overripe or over the top and is a complex, satisfying, charming Margaux that should continue to drink well for another decade or more.
Lucien Lurton's grandfather acquired the estate in 1925, and was succeeded by his grandson in 1956. Lucien Lurton's son, Henri, currently manages the estate and puts all his efforts into producing a great Margaux in each and every vintage, reflecting Brane-Cantenac's superb vineyard soil.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Silky, seductive and polished are the words that characterize the best wines from Margaux, the most inland appellation of the Médoc on the Left Bank of Bordeaux.
Margaux’s gravel soils are the thinnest of the Médoc, making them most penetrable by vine roots—some reaching down over 23 feet for water. The best sites are said to be on gentle outcrops, or croupes, where more gravel facilitates good drainage.
The Left Bank of Bordeaux subscribes to an arguably outdated method of classification but it is nonetheless important in regards to history of the area. In 1855 the finest chateaux were deemed on the basis of reputation and trading price—at that time. In 1855, Chateau Margaux achieved first growth status, yet it has been Chateau Palmer (officially third growth from the 1855 classification) that has consistently outperformed others throughout the 20th century.
Chateau Margaux in top vintages is capable of producing red Cabernet Sauvignon based wines described as pure, intense, spell-binding, refined and profound with flavors and aromas of black currant, violets, roses, orange peel, black tea and incense.
Other top producers worthy of noting include Chateau Rauzan-Ségla, Lascombes, Brane-Cantenac, and d’Issan, among others.
The best wines of Margaux combine a deep ruby color with a polished structure, concentration and an unrivaled elegance.