Château Brane-Cantenac 2015

"The 2013 Brane-Cantenac has come on nicely since I last tasted it in barrel, even if it does fall short of recent vintages from Henri Lurton and his team. Certainly it has developed more fruit concentration on the nose: fresh strawberries and redcurrant laced with tobacco. The palate is nicely balanced with fine tannin and well-judged acidity, just a touch of piquancy coming through on the finish. It has developed more heft during barrel ageing and given 3 or 4 years in bottle, should develop into a satisfying mid-term Margaux." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (10/28/2016, Issue 227), Rating: 88, Drink: 2017-2027

"Estate manager Henri Lurton continues to take this large 228-acre property from strength to strength. Of the final blend from microscopic yields of 22 hectoliters per hectare, only 38.9 % became Brane-Cantenac. Certainly this has turned out to be a good, soft, fruit-forward and attractive style of wine, with notes of plum, Asian soy, blackcurrants and forest floor. With fragrant aromatics and excellent ripeness, it is medium-bodied with slightly more texture than generally found in this vintage. The wine will be drinkable when released, and age well for a decade or more." - Robert Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate (8/27/2014, Issue 214), Rating: 88-90, Drink: 2014-2024