Château Brane-Cantenac 2019 Pauillac (75cl, 14.1%)

Château Brane-Cantenac 2019 is a Deuxième Cru Classé Margaux from Bordeaux, France, bottled at 14.1% ABV. The 2019 blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenère. For the first time, every parcel in the blend originates exclusively from the plateau de Brane directly in front of the château. The well-drained gravel soils at the highest point of the property provided natural resilience during 2019's prolonged dry spells. The nose opens with cassis and black raspberry, then pencil shavings, cedary spice and violets, with sweet loamy soil, tobacco leaf and cardamom beneath. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a seamless, silk-like mouthfeel, concentrated blackberry and currant fruit, dark chocolate and baking spice, with fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and poised, with graphite, tobacco and dark fruit, and a gentle herbal freshness.