Mike Saviage

9.5

Tasted blind. Reddish tawny, almost opaque. Big shoulders in the nose. Complex. Notes of briary brush, raspberry, hickory, pepper and tobacco leaf. Mellow in the mouth, especially when compared to the big nose. Sweeter fruit finish. Took some deductive time with my guess... 82 Margaux which freaked out my friend who brought the bottle. This is in a good place, not sure if it will improve with more age. But it’s in no danger of declining anytime soon. — 5 years ago

Madalyn Kissel

10

Smooth but with a deep taste. A great glass of wine for a reasonable price. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have a six-pack of this 05. I thought after 10 years in bottle, it would be interesting to check in on its evolution. While tasty, I’ll wait another 8-10 to open another. Even after 2-3 hours in the decanter, it’s still a very young adolescent. On the nose, slightly sour blackberries & dark cherries, dark currants, baked black plum, haunting blue fruits, anise, whiff of spice, steeped tea, dry stones, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, caramel, vanilla with fresh & dry red florals. The body is thick & full. Tannins are starting to round out. It’s velvety on the palate. The fruits are; bright, fresh & ripe and really show the greatness of the 05 vintage. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, baked black plum, haunting blue fruits, baked strawberries, cherries, raspberries on the long set, dark spice, clay & loamy dry top soil with crushed rocks, dry stones, cigar with ash, graphite, dry stems, slight herbaceous character, mint, used leather, clove, caramel, vanilla, fresh & dry red florals with violets. The round acidity is about perfect. The structure and length are still strong. The balance is in harmony. As for the long finish, it’s lush, ruby, rich and well polished. Photos of; Chateau Brane Cantenac, large wood vats, Henri Lurton and Estate vines. Producer notes and history...Chateau Brane Cantenac began in the early 17th century. At the time, the estate was known as Domaine Guilhem Hosten. Even that far back, wine was produced from the property. In fact, the wine was so highly regarded it was one of the more expensive wines in Bordeaux. It sold for almost as much money as Brane Mouton. This is interesting because of who went on to buy the vineyard in the 1800’s. The Baron of Brane, also known as “Napoleon of the Vineyards”, purchased the Chateau in 1833. At the time of the sale, the estate was called Chateau Gorce-Guy. To get the funds needed to purchase the Margaux vineyard, the Baron sold what is now called Mouton Rothschild, which was at the time of the sale, known as Chateau Brane-Mouton. Not such a good move with hundreds of years in hindsight! In 1838, the Baron renamed property taking his name and the name of the sector where the vineyards were located and called it Chateau Brane Cantenac. The Chateau later passed to the Roy family, who were well-known in the Margaux appellation in those days, as they owned Chateau d’issan. Moving ahead to 1920, the Societe des Grands Crus de France, a group of merchants and growers that owned several chateaux located in the Medoc including; Chateau Margaux, Chateau Giscours, and Chateau Lagrange in St. Julien, purchased Chateau Brane Cantenac. Five years later, M. Recapet and his son-in-law, François Lurton, took over Brane Cantenac along with Chateau Margaux. Lucien Lurton (the son of François Lurton) inherited Brane Cantenac in 1956. Today, the estate is still in the hands of the Lurton family. Brane Cantenac is owned and run by Henri Lurton. After being given the responsibility of managing Brane Cantenac, it was under the direction of Henri Lurton that large portions of the vineyard were replanted. Vine densities were increased, the drainage systems were improved and the plantings were also, slowly changed. The vineyard of Brane Cantenac is planted to 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and .5% Carmenere. Carmenere was used for the first time in the 2011 vintage. The only other Chateau I know that still uses Carmenere is Clerc Milon. The 75 hectare Left Bank vineyard of Brane Cantenac is essentially unchanged since it earned Second Growth status in the 1855 Classification. At least that is the case with the 45 hectares used to produce the Grand Vin of Brane Cantenac. Those 45 hectares are planted surrounding the Chateau. Those vines are located just in front of the Cantenac plateau and are the best terroir that Brane Cantenac owns. They have other parcels, which are further inland and much of those grapes are placed into their second wine, Le Baron de Brane. Those additional hectares can be divided into 3 main sections. Behind the Chateau, they have 15 hectares of vines on gravel and sand, 10 hectares across the road with sand, gravel and iron and a 13 hectare parcel with gravel called Notton, which is used for their second wine. The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 6,666 vines per hectare on the plateau and up to 8,000 vines per hectare for the vines located behind chateau, in their sandier soils. The higher levels of vine density are always found in the newer plantings. The terroir of Brane Cantenac consists of deep gravel, sand and clay soil. Experiments in the vineyards are currently looking at becoming more organic in their vineyard management. Today, more than 25% of Brane Cantenac is farmed using organic farming techniques. It is expected that over time, the amount of hectares farmed with organic methods will be increased. Brane Cantenac has gone through 2 relatively recent modernization’s in 1999, when they added began adding the first of their smaller vats to allow for parcel by parcel vinification and then again in 2015 when they completed a much more complete renovation of their cellars and vat rooms. While Brane Cantenac is a traditional producer, they are no stranger to technology as they were one of the first estates to embrace optical grape sorting machines. In very wet vintages, they can also use reverse osmosis. To produce the wine of Chateau Brane Cantenac, the wine is vinified in a combination of temperature controlled, traditional, 22 oak vats, 18 concrete tanks and 20 stainless steel vats that vary in size from 40 hectoliters all the way up to 200 hectoliters, which allows for parcel by parcel vinification. 40% of the fermentation takes place in the oak vats. The oldest vines are vinified in vats that are selected to allow for separate parcel by parcel vinification. The younger vines are vinified more often together in the same vats. However, the Carmenere is entirely micro-vinified, meaning that those grapes were completely vinified in barrel, using micro-vinification techniques. This can also happen because the amount of grapes produced is so small. Some vats can be co-inoculated, meaning they go through alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation simultaneously. At Chateau Brane Cantenac, malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of French oak tanks and barrels. The wine of Brane Cantenac is aged in an average of 60% new, French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. The initial 2 months of aging is done with the wine on its lees, which adds more depth to the wine. There second wine is Le Baron de Brane. Le Baron de Brane is not new. In fact, previously, the second wine went under the name of Chateau Notton, which took its name from one of the main parcels where the grapes were planted. During the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s, having a second wine was important as the estate declassified 3 vintages, due to extremely poor, weather conditions in 1956, 1960 and 1963. Production of Chateau Brane Cantenac is about 11,000 cases per year. — 8 years ago

Michael Meagher MS

Chairman/Founder Boston Sommelier Society, Beverage Director Cafe Escadrille

9.6

One of the best 1997s I've had in years. Racy acid, exotic spice, turmeric, cumin and tannins still firmly in place — 9 years ago

with Brahm and Kathy

Jordan Gianelli

9.5

Loved it at Press in St Helena after Albariño and Pinot Noir. Strong but soft, my happy place when one begins to describe older characteristics in a wine without the wine becoming a dead piece of acid without elegance and all you are left with is a sharp sensation and a longing to have opened the wine 10 years ago. Anyhow- beautiful wine and definitely the time to drink it!! — 9 years ago

James K

9.6

Deserving of RPs high rating. Wine of the night? — 10 years ago

with Alejandro, Jen and 1 other

Amy Morgan

9.1

A medium + intensity of Black fruits (black cherry, black currants) dark chocolate, mint, tobacco and cedar. Nose and palate matching in flavor profile and complexity. Still tight and will just get better with age. — 11 years ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Our annual Valentine’s Day bottle, a bit late as we were traveling last weekend. I think we have 5 left after this year. Very complex with an overriding caramel yeast note. Finish is beautiful crystalline lemon. But this is in an interesting place - the bubbles actually now feel a little much for the rest of the wine. Will be interesting to check in next year. Perfect with some sole meunière! — 6 years ago

Matthieu Michon

9.4

Loads of dark fruit, beautiful nose, complex wine but still a good five years away from being in the right place! — 6 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.0

Color of inky purple. Nose is concentrated with chocolate milk, ripe cherry, cherry jam , raisins, a bit spice, and strength of alcohol. Taste is spicy sweet, a bit chocolate and vanilla note,!hidden acidity, Aftertaste is off balance a bit too much sulfate and metallic note. Average. — 7 years ago

Scott Rowe

8.9

All aboard the funk train, last stop Funktown. A curveball Grenache! — 8 years ago

with Anthony

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9.7

Pichon-Lalande is the single hottest property in the Médoc right now. Although the Chateau has a long and esteemed history, a Second Growth in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, no less, it is the winemaking today that is taking the property to new heights. If you are looking to treat yourself with a wine that is truly world class in every sense, then look no further. The wonderfully nuanced, finessed 2014 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande exudes pedigree. Crème de cassis, licorice, lavender and sweet spices are front and center, while beams of supporting tannins and acidity give the wine its energy and overall tension. All of the elements are simply in the right place. Powerful and also remarkably delicate, the 2014 Pichon Comtesse might very well be the wine of the vintage on the Left Bank. Don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb 2017) — 8 years ago

Timothy Wong

9.4

This wine is dark, in every sense of the word. Great mouthfeel, silky and lingering. Representative of a solid Bordeaux. — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Megan's wine of the night.
Absolutely superb. Definitely old world versus New World. Layers upon layers of deep and rich spice, prune and perhaps some type of herb that I could not place my finger on. you felt a kicking in on the back palate. It had so much going on that you relished every sip. This has another 20 years in front of it easily. It was just a baby tonight. No Decant!!!! Just popped and poured and it was sublime!. Thank goodness I have one left!!!!! Megan is developing an incredible Palate! She knew exactly what she did and did not like this evening. This immediately struck a chord and placed first. In all honesty, we are splitting hairs when it comes to the wines that we poured this evening. This was in my top three as well. Bravo Megan!!! This 100 point beauty definitely lived up to its hype. — 9 years ago

with Ryan and Christine

Tom Kobylarz

9.8

If there were ever an archetypical Syrah, Jamet's Cote-Rotie would be a strong candidate. To me this is a pure expression of a classic Northern Rhone Syrah. It is not a single site, but a blend of terroirs, encompassing over 20 sites mostly from hard rock schist bedrock with little to no topsoil. There is NO Viognier in this wine like one might expect from most Cote-Rotie that might have 1-5% co-fermented.

Importantly, there is also a lot less of the oak character that can dominate and overwhelm many Northern Rhone wines. The oak maturation, while not short at 22 months, only uses 15% new oak with no trace of it on the palate as it is perfectly integrated. Grape bunches are whole cluster fermented and macerated for up to 3 weeks.

The 2007 we have here was drinking superbly for a young wine, showing lively and racy layers of peppercorn spice, roast beef, and warm blackberry and currant fruit from the hot 2007 vintage. While from a warm vintage, not a hair is out of place. Density and purity exude from the nose and hint at what a brilliant future this wine has. Perfect acidity and fleshy ripe tannin provide the backbone structure for father time to peel back the layers of this beauty. I will be chceking back in 5 years at the earliest. — 9 years ago

Brandon Carneiro

Co-founder & CEO SommSelect.com

9.7

One of the best Pepe wines I've ever had. Drinking like a beautiful grand cru burg with its own special sense of place. This is one of the best wines in the world. #sommselect — 10 years ago

Ken Pahlow

9.0

Surprise given the vintage's heat. Dark fruits, decent sense of freshness & structure for a few more years. I would drink it up though. — 11 years ago

with Andy and Erica

Magno González

9.2

'09 shed most of its baby fat and is at a good place right now. Pure Joy! — 11 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.6

In an absolute beautiful place. Intense, highly expressive and layered with black raspberries, currants, leather, cedar, hints of red flowers and licorice. Finishes with excellent length, depth and dusty tannins. Terrific bottle. — 6 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.4

In a good place right now. Lovely texture with notes of warm, yeasty bread knots sandwiched between citrus and chalk, all laced in a smooth minerality. — 6 years ago

with Krystal

Evan Bienstock

9.5

Side by side Chave and Guigal La Mouline from 2000. Pretty special. These wines are both extraordinary in every sense of that word. — 7 years ago

Lindsey King

9.2

Lean and precise. Cranberry sauce when it's not Thanksgiving. An accent you can't quite place but revel in the cadence and timbre of. Charred sage and rosemary. — 8 years ago

Rob Moose

9.0

A nice debut for my case of 2011. This is in a happy drinking place for sure. No fireworks, but a great example of an approachable Nebbiolo that you can drink during summer! — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured. Judging from this bottle and a few others that I have had the pleasure to try, I would have to say these 2014's are already in outstanding form. If there is a single word that best describes this vintage of Rafanelli's Zinfandel, it has got to be "balance". I mean, everything seems to be in the right place and in the right amounts. I think these are going to be very fun to drink over the next 10-15 years and I'm looking forward to their evolution. Drink now or Hold. — 9 years ago

Gil Krakowsky

9.7

Can't say enough about a wine this serious at this price point. Absolutely stunning, elegant, and even (in a chinon way) powerful. Floral aromatic dominate - lavender and a bit of rose. Graphite, dusty chalk, red pepper, some raspberry. Fresh yet not primary. Hints of savory notes as well. Incredible spine of minerality runs through the palate. Great acidity and structure. Coiler and energetic. Finishes long and bright with refreshing pyrazines for days. In an incredible place now, so no fault in drinking but has a long, long life ahead. One of the best values in the wine world. Just exceptional — 9 years ago

Doctor No

9.3

A classic, old school Bordeaux in a classic year. Decanted x5h. Still bright ruby, nose is mild barnyard with black cherry, leather, graphite on the attack with a lingering sense of tobacco and dried herbs. Tannins are resolving well with a bit of dry dust on the finish. Lively acidity and very youthful overall. — 9 years ago

LM Segal

9.4

Big round and massive mouthful of cocoa, leather and espresso bean. Blue and black fruit on a structured finish of oaky tannins suggesting a very long way to go. I'm in such an Oreno place these days. — 9 years ago

Jaume

9.4

29 years old and drank incredibly well. What a treat. The big fruits have softened but in their place is now a brooding torrent of notes which evolved from sip to sip. Quite a remarkable wine. — 10 years ago

Alex Pitts

Cellar Master Scholium Project

9.5

2012. Intense and lush but also translates a sense of place. — 11 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.9

My 4th bottle, the best and my last, this absolutely killed it and is why I love Napa Valley Cabernet, especially #Spottswoode. 12 years old this easily has another 10 to go but is in a beautiful place right now. Open or decant for 30 minutes, though I did not decant. A deep resold color, not a sign of brick as one would expect. Shows the importance of provenance (bought from winery). A complex set or aromas and flavors of creme d'cassis, currants, sweet and sour cherries, sweet cedar, and graphite. Palate wise the textures are all in alignment, with medium to full body, ample acidity and medium grain slightly chewy tannins that may be it's only flaw. #2002 — 11 years ago