2015 Brane Cantenac

The 2015 Brane-Cantenac saw biodynamics introduced in ten hectares of the vineyard, plus a reconfiguration of the vat room with eight wooden gravity-fed vats. This is very intense on the nose with blackberry, morello cherry and rose petal scents giving way to touches of cassis and violet. The palate is medium-bodied and quite sturdy for a 2015, with sapid black fruit and a grippy, peppery finish that suggests another year in bottle will do it no harm. An upstanding Brane-Cantenac. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.

Out of the Medoc peninsula regions in 2015, AOC Margaux did the best, and this is a delicious, pretty electrifying wine. Creamy red and black fruits, smoked tea leaves, roses, beautifully welcoming with lift and momentum. Balanced, confident, fabulous, at a lovely moment to begin drinking. Harvest September 17 to October 19, 52.3hl/h yield. Eric Boissenot consultant, Henri Lurton owner, Christophe Capdeville technical director. Biodynamic trial over 10ha of vineyards, started by Pierre Auché. Grafted Merlot over to Cabernet Sauvignon in parts of the vineyard.

Tasted blind. Looks quite a youthful crimson. Some real interest and vitality on the nose. Just a little short of fruit concentration but trying hard to overcome this. Pinched finish. (JR)