About Château Brane-Cantenac

Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Margaux appellation, Château Brane-Cantenac embodies the quintessential elegance of fine Bordeaux. This historic Second Growth from the 1855 Classification is affectionately referred to as "the first of the seconds," a testament to its consistent excellence and distinguished reputation among wine connoisseurs worldwide.

The estate's rich legacy dates back to the early 17th century when it was known as Domaine Guilhem Hosten. Its modern identity was shaped in 1833 when Baron Jacques-Maxime de Brane, nicknamed "Napoleon of the Vines," acquired and renamed the property. Under his visionary stewardship, the wines gained such prestige that Brane-Cantenac was classified as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

Since 1925, the Lurton family has been the faithful steward of this 75-hectare estate. Under Henri Lurton's meticulous direction since 1992, Brane-Cantenac has undergone a remarkable renaissance. A trained oenologist and ampelographer, Henri masterfully balances innovation with tradition, implementing environmentally conscious practices while preserving the estate's classical heritage. Today, a significant portion of the vineyard is farmed using organic methods, with select parcels under biodynamic cultivation.

What truly sets Brane-Cantenac apart is its exceptional terroir atop the Cantenac plateau—the highest point in Margaux. The estate features three main terroirs, with the most prized being the plateau de Brane with its thick layer of surface gravel, providing both radiant heat and excellent drainage. This privileged geological formation is divided into 120 distinct parcels, each with unique characteristics that contribute to the wine's complexity.

The vineyard is planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), complemented by Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (4.5%), and small amounts of Carménère (0.5%). Each parcel is micro-managed with a single goal: producing the highest quality grapes while maintaining low yields.

Henri Lurton's winemaking philosophy is captured in his vision statement: "to make the greatest wine possible from what we consider to be one of Bordeaux's finest terroirs." Nothing at Brane-Cantenac is for show; everything serves this single objective. The grand vin ages for 18 months in French oak barrels, resulting in wines celebrated for their aromatic complexity, silky tannins, and remarkable aging potential.

The estate also produces Baron de Brane (the second wine named after the Baron), Margaux de Brane, and since 2019, a limited production white wine called Brane-Cantenac Blanc—a testament to Henri's spirit of innovation and pursuit of excellence.

True to its heritage, Château Brane-Cantenac continues to produce wines that quintessentially express Margaux's hallmark characteristics—combining depth and refinement with floral aromatics and silky texture that have earned them international acclaim.

Jeb Dunnuck - 99 Points

"An undeniable star in Margaux, the 2022 Château Brane-Cantenac checks in as a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% each Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot. This deep purple-hued beauty offers up a sensational perfume of darker currants and cassis that gives way to more floral, spicy oak and graphite nuances with air. With flawless overall balance, ripe, velvety tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish, this riveting Brane-Cantenac already offers pleasure, yet I wouldn't be surprised to see this firm up with 4-5 years of bottle age, only to reemerge later and drink beautifully for 30+ years. It's one of the truly greats in the appellation, and readers will love to have this beauty in the cellar."

Vinous Media - 97 Points

"The 2022 Brane-Cantenac, as usual, is a wine that you must sit and contemplate before words gush forth. It was picked from 7 September to 10 October (their tiny plot of Carmenère) at 31.5hL/ha and contains 16% vin de presse from the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is well-defined and fresh, a very subtle Margaux, precise with blackberry, wild strawberry, cedar and tobacco scents. As previous vintages have proven, there's a kind of "hidden depth" that will become apparent post-bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very elegant and unashamedly classic in style. This is blessed with haunting poise, composed and detailed on the finish. This Margaux is not a show stopper, which in any case, is not really Henri Lurton/Brane Cantenac’s signature style. Instead, it is a wine that 15 to 20 years down the road, you are going to treasure." - Neal Martin

Decanter - 98 Points

"Crushed velvet smoothness and almost weightless purity. Gorgeous aromatics – wild flowers, bramble fruit and soft cinnamon. Bright berry fruit, salty mineral touches and a hint of liquorice create charm and depth. This exudes Margaux elegance with bounce, finesse and fleshiness. Already so enjoyable but built to develop further. An utterly delicious wine that captures the essence of the vintage." - Georgina Hindle

James Suckling.com - 97 Points

"So aromatic with blackcurrant, blueberry and violet aromas that follow through to a medium body with ultrafine tannins that are extremely integrated and refined and go on for minutes. Some lead pencil and stone at the end. Very complex and subtle for the vintage. 74% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot, 1% cabernet franc, 1% petit verdot and 1% carmenere."

The Wine Independent - 95-97 Points

"A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2022 Brane-Cantenac has a pH of 3.61 and there is 15.8% press wine in the blend. It has a deep garnet-purple color and it is a little subdued to start with notes of cedar chest and redcurrant preserves leading the charge, soon giving way to a profound core of crème de cassis, juicy black plums, and candied violets, with a touch of iron ore. The medium to full-bodied palate is simply electric, shimmering with bright, energetic black and red berry layers, supported by super-ripe, finely grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing long and perfumed. Stunning!" - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Vinous Media - 97 Points

"The 2022 Brane-Cantenac is every bit as impressive as it was en primeur. What a wine. Fresh, brisk and wonderfully vibrant in the glass, the 2022 soars with striking Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics. Graphite, menthol, sage, mint, licorice, dried flowers and a kiss of well-judged oak all meld together in the glass. Great wine is the result of many small decisions taken together, some of which may seem inconsequential on their own. The team led by Technical Director Christophe Capdeville nailed it in 2022. This is a magnificent Margaux that overachieves big time. The 2022 is one of the most finessed wines of the vintage." - Antonio Galloni