CHATEAU BRANE CANTENAC

VM: 98

The 2022 Brane-Cantenac has another very intense bouquet: black cherries, red plum, camphor, crushed stone and a touch of melted tar on a hot summer's day. Again, very fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Very pliant, with beautiful purity of fruit, harmonious and poised, with a peacock's tail on the finish. The best Brane-Cantenac ever made. Period. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

- By Neal Martin on January 2026

WA: 94

The 2022 Brane-Cantenac has turned out nicely in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with hints of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, with a lively core of fruit framed by rich, chalky tannins, it displays excellent energy and persistence. This blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc, Carmenère and Petit Verdot was bottled in July 2024.