Château Brane-Cantenac 2016

Tasting

Colour: Dark, brilliant garnet red.

Nose: Complex and refined. Aromas of ripe black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry), black cherry, violet, hints of sweet spices (pepper, liquorice), cedar, light tobacco and slight graphite. The oak is perfectly blended and elegant, adding subtle hints of vanilla and toast.

Palate: Silky, precise attack. Velvety texture, fine, perfectly integrated tannins. Ample, well-balanced mid-palate, revealing pure, juicy fruit, underpinned by controlled acidity that ensures freshness. Long, harmonious finish, marked by floral, spicy and slightly mineral notes.

Review

- Wine Advocate: 94+/100

- Vinous (Neal Martin): 94/100

- James Suckling: 96/100

Suggested pairings

Perfect with grilled or roasted red meats (rib steak, fillet of beef, duck breast), roast lamb (leg of lamb, rack of lamb) or stews (lamb tajine with sweet spices, navarin). Also ideal with roast or stuffed poultry (guinea fowl, cherry duck) and game birds (pheasant, partridge). An excellent accompaniment to richly flavoured stews (boeuf bourguignon, daube provençale) and mature hard cheeses (Comté, vieux Cantal, Parmesan) or slightly blue-veined cheeses (Fourme d'Ambert, Bleu d'Auvergne).