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.

Bright ruby-red. Blueberry, violet and licorice on the nose. Juicy, pure and nicely delineated; dark berry flavors offer more inner-mouth perfume than texture. Rather firm today, but stylish and nicely balanced.

55% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. 46 hl/ha. The only Brane vintage ever produced without any press wine. Fairly youthful colour. Purer fruit with creaminess and substance. Quality of tannin much improved compared with the previous vintages. Still has grip and persistence. Ready but will continue to age. (JL)