Winemaker Notes
2020 is a winemaker's vintage. The ripeness is astounding, dark in color, the aromas are refined, complex and spicy, the tannins are elegant and sexy, with the sensation of a balanced power. It stands up to the challenge of the 2018 and 2019 vintages, with a pretty dash of supplementary freshness. 2020 is an open window to the future.
Blend: 62% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2020 Brio de Cantenac Brown is plush and explosive, which makes it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years or more. Succulent dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice and sweet spice are all amplified in this wonderfully seductive, charming second wine. The 2020 is an absolute delight.
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Decanter
Layers of black cherry on the attack, crunchy fresh fruit character with touches of chocolate shavings alongside a brighter blueberry and raspberry bite. The dry summer and heat during harvest meant atypical levels of concentration even in this second wine, but they were clearly careful with extraction, and fermented at 25/26°C maximum to ensure the fruit was in focus. This is the lowest amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in Brio to date because the Cabernets were so good that they put them in the first wine (and also no doubt because yields were so low they had to make choices). They also did a third selection for the first time to ensure quality stayed high for Brio (this was sold en vrac). 25% new oak, 49% of overall production.
Barrel Sample
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.