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1995 Brane Cantenac

1995 Brane Cantenac

93 RP-NM

Featured Review
Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château, the 1995 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. It has retained that lovely bouquet of raspberry coulis, strawberry, leather and a touch of iodine - clearly the best aromatics of the nineties. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, though not as grippy as previous bottles, the tannins having melted in recent years. There is something almost Asian about the finish - hints of hoisin lining the finish plus a tingle of Shezhuan pepper on the aftertaste. Probably at its peak, I would aver that this was Henri Lurton's first bonafide success at Brane-Cantenac after taking over at the beginning of the decade. Tasted March 2016. Robert Parker Neal Martin

Robert Parker | 93 RP-NM

Critic Reviews

Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château, the 1995 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. It has retained that lovely bouquet of raspberry coulis, strawberry, leather and a touch of iodine - clearly the best aromatics of the nineties. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, though not as grippy as previous bottles, the tannins having melted in recent years. There is something almost Asian about the finish - hints of hoisin lining the finish plus a tingle of Shezhuan pepper on the aftertaste. Probably at its peak, I would aver that this was Henri Lurton's first bonafide success at Brane-Cantenac after taking over at the beginning of the decade. Tasted March 2016.

Robert Parker Neal Martin | 93 RP-NM
The 1995 Brane-Cantenac was picked September 18–29 at 46hl/ha. It has long been the high point of what, in retrospect, was a challenging decade for this Margaux estate. The gorgeous, slightly herbal bouquet is very engaging, featuring plenty of red berry fruit mixed with bay leaf and mint. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, a smooth texture and a little earthiness and pepperiness developing on the finish. As I suggested before, it might be approaching the end of its drinking plateau, so feel free to consume. At the moment, it’s an absolute joy. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château.

Vinous Media | 92 VM

Wine Details for 1995 Brane Cantenac

Type of Wine Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.


Overview

Producer Chateau Brane Cantenac : Positioned on the Cantenac Plateau, in the heart of the illustrious Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, the renowned Chateau Brane-Cantenac stands proudly. Its history is a tale of a thriving relationship between man and earth, dating back over 250 years, yet growing stronger as time passes. It is a serene place where man’s talent, nature and modern technology clash in the creation of one of the most recognized names in the world of wine. While respecting tradition, the use of cutting edge techniques has evolved into a tedious winegrowing and making process that has helped place the Second Growth property in rare company.

What we know of today as Chateau Brane-Cantenac began in the 17th Century when it was a small but prosperous estate known as Hostein. Even in those days, wine of great quality was being produced from the property, the vineyards and estate being established and developed by the Gorce Family. In fact, the wine was so highly regarded, it was one of the most expensive wines in all of Bordeaux and selling for almost as much as Brane Mouton (what we know today as Chateau Mouton Rothschild). This is interesting given who went on to buy the vineyard in the 1800s.

The Baron of Brane, also known as “Napoleon de Vignes” purchased the chateau in 1833. Interestingly, in order to obtain the funds needed for purchase, the Baron sold his beloved estate, Chateau Brane Mouton and what is now the renowned Chateau Mouton Rothschild. The Baron renamed the property Brane-Cantenac, merging his name with the name of the sector where the vineyards were located. The estate would later be passed to the Roy family, who were well known in the Margaux appellation as they also owned Chateau d’Issan.

In 1920, the Societe des Grands Crus de France, a group of merchants and growers that owned several chateau located in the Medoc, including Chateau Margaux, Giscourse (Margaux) and Lagrange in Saint Julien, purchased Brane-Cantenac. Five years later, M. Recapet and his son-in-law, Francois Lurton took control over the estate. It has been passed down to the next generation and remains in the capable hands of Henri Lurton today.

This new era brought about many improvements to the estate, including the replanting of large portions of the vineyard, increasing vine density, a new drainage system was installed and a slow changing of their current plantings. The 75 hectare vineyard is planted to 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, .5% Petit Verdot (first used in 2017) and .5% Carmenere (first used in the 2011 vintage).

The vineyards are continuously micro-managed with a single goal in mind: producing the highest quality grapes and maintaining low yields. Replanting efforts in recent years and a movement toward organic growing has demonstrated the estate’s strong commitment to sustainable viticulture. Lurton attaches such great importance to vine canopy work, very strict selection and moderate yields. Between low yields and a strict picking process, production of the first wine is very limited.

In keeping with tradition and respect for its ancestry, the vineyards of the Left Bank estate have essentially remained unchanged since it earned Second Growth status in the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, with exception to the new plantings. This is an important aspect since Brane-Cantenac’s greatest asset is the amazing quality of its historic terroir.

The estate possesses some of Margaux’s very finest plots, with the heart and soul of the vineyard being a 45 hectare parcel close to and surrounding the chateau and considered to be the greatest terroir on the property. These vines are located just in front of the Cantenac Plateau, which rises 22 meters above sea level. Due to its location, the topography provides superb natural drainage; the stony soils forcing the roots of the vines to delve deep into the earth for sustenance. It is not regarded solely for the elevations, but for the depth of the gravel which can be 12 meters deep in some areas. The terroir is famous for its deep, gravelly and mineral rich soils.

Parcels located further inland are used in the production of their second wine, Baron de Brane (paying homage to the famous Baron Jacques-Maxime de Brane). The terroir here consists of gravel, sand and iron soils. Brane de Baron is produced in limited quantity, similar to the first wine. The estate scarcely produces a third wine, Margaux de brane and carries the famous gold and black label; a highly recognizable attribute.

Modernization was implemented in the cellars in 1999, in which smaller vats were installed to allow for parcel by parcel vinification (impressively, there are 120 separate parcels on the property). Again in 2015, a complete renovation of their cellars took place, including the vat rooms. They have embraced optical sorting technology and in very wet vintages, they can also use reverse osmosis.

Harvest is a magical time at Brane-Cantenac; the typically tranquil estate turns into a flurry of activity as everyone prepares to gather the fruit that has been painstakingly nurtured throughout the year. Scientific analysis and tasting of the grapes must take place before the order is given to harvest, picking only occurring once each plot reaches a point of perfect maturity. This cooperative operation between man and nature is an incredibly harmonious event.

While the growing process is a combined alliance between man and nature, the winemaking at Brane-Cantenac is a collaboration between man and technology. A rigorous sorting process is carried out on a variety by variety and plot by plot basis, while state of the art optical scanning equipment allows for unprecedented precision and quality control. The grapes are crushed, fermented, macerated and pressed before being transferred to the barrels. Each stage requires extreme patience and accuracy. While the wine ages in barrel for 18 months, systematic tasting is conducted to judge the pace of the wines evolution.

Brane-Cantenac is better after 10 years of bottle age and can reach its peak maturity between 12-35 years after the vintage. It is an elegantly styled Margaux that is on the lighter, fresher, cleaner, brighter and perhaps slightly stern, or classic side of the style range. The wine is produced in a traditional style and shows a little more in the aromatics than the body. For the past few decades, the quality has greatly increased at the estate.

Tradition must be matched with enterprising intellect and the constant ambition for improvement. Recent investments in an entirely new winery and significant upgrades to machinery mark a concerted effort to improve quality. Experimentation in the vat room and cellar ensures that the estate is also at the cutting edge of modern winemaking. Staying true to the estates legacy and the highest respect for terroir is a top priority at Bran-Cantenac. Despite its many technological advancements, wine at Brane-Cantenac is made in the vineyard and their vineyards are stamped with the will of men: a tradition that began centuries ago and continues to be honored to this day.


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