2022 Brane Cantenac
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2022 vintage of Brane-Cantenac is a tribute to Henri Lurton’s late father Lucien, who passed away in 2023 having arrived at the property in 1954, as well as Henri’s 30th vintage at the helm. It’s also the finest wine he thinks he’s ever made – feeling it will stand alongside vintages like 1945 or 1961 in the history books. A wine of great aromatic complexity, notes of perfumed black fruit, spice and cocoa gently unfurl from the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate has a striking balance between alcohol and dynamic acidity, with a wonderful floral lift that remains throughout. The fine silky tannins provide the wine with a significant backbone before they slowly melt away, leaving a long, satisfying finish. The latest iteration of this classic Margaux is full of promise – and Henri Lurton is justified in his pride.
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Brane-Cantenac (a second bottle poured in a different flight of the same tasting) is much higher-toned on the nose than the Latour, with lavish black cherries and blueberry fruit, cedar and cassis, quite Mouton-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, sweet and ripe, plush and luxuriant, velvety smooth, with a gorgeous, sensual, sorbet-fresh finish that is very sustained. Voluptuous yet sophisticated. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
A brilliant, borderline perfect wine, the 2022 Château Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Carménère, and 1% Petit Verdot that was aged 18 months in 100% new French oak. Insanely good blue fruits, spring flowers, graphite, and damp earth define the aromatics, and it builds beautifully with air, showing intensity, depth, purity, and complexity. Just gorgeous on the palate as well, it's full-bodied and has a deep, layered, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, and flawless balance. Back up the truck on this beauty. It will have a broad drinking window and should cruise for 40+ years. Drink 2026-2066. The 2022 was harvested from September 7 to October 10, hitting 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.61.
Tune in! The new Jane Anson Wine Podcast is live. Check out episode 8: From Steve Jobs to Wine with Laurent David of Château Edmus
About the producer
Château Brane-Cantenac has been a consistent performer in the Margaux wine appellation since Henri Lurton took over the property, but thanks to replanting and investment in the last decade, quality has seen another sharp upswing.