Although unimpressive in barrel, this wine has really come around in the two or three times I have tasted it in bottle. Last encountered at the vertical. Deep ruby/garnet colour. A deep, quite broody nose. Blackcurrant, damson, cassis with well-integrated new oak. The palate is concentrated, tannic, and well-balanced with good delineation. Very focused, but a little surly and closed at the moment. Good persistency on the finish. Tasted November 2006.

Fully mature and very attractive, the 2000 Brane Cantenac, which started a succession of brilliant wines from this famous estate in the Margaux appellation, has a dark plum/ruby/purple color, a sweet, juicy nose of blue, red, and black fruits, and a hint of damp earth as well as subtle herbs. Spicy, round, complex, very lush, and at its plateau of maturity, this wine should continue to drink well for another 10-15 years at minimum. This is Margaux elegance and silkiness at its very best.