2011 Château Brane-Cantenac

Ripe red and black fruits, spring flowers, spice, and underbrush notes all emerge from the 2011 Château Brane-Cantenac, a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Carménère that was aged 18 months in 70% new French oak. Just a lovely wine that shines for its complexity and nuance, it's medium-bodied and has a pure, layered mouthfeel, fine, polished tannins, and outstanding length. It's one of those wines that will grow on you over the course of an evening and should continue drinking nicely over the coming 15-20 years if well stored. Drink 2026-2046. The 2011 was harvested from September 9 to October 10, hitting 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.75.

56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carmenère. 31.3 hl/ha. Crimson hue. Slightly baked nose. Medium-bodied with decent fruit weight. Full and round on attack but the tannins chunky and dry on the finish. Robust rather than elegant. (JL)

The 2011 Brane-Cantenac was the first vintage with a drop of Carménère (in fact, there was a rare standalone bottling that I am not sure was commercially released). There is something a little conservative about the nose, with black fruit laced with used tea leaves and a touch of undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with some hardness on the entry, quite marine-driven and sapid but it needs more flesh on its bones on the finish. It is becoming a little raw with age. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château in September 2025.