A sexy, style of wine from the Lurtons at Brane-Cantenac, this wine (a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc) has a stunning nose of forest floor, licorice, blackcurrants, plums and spring flowers. Soft tannin, full-bodied opulence and beautifully textured, lush richness, make for a brilliant wine from this large, 180-acre vineyard. In spite of the wine’s stunning forward fragrance and lushness, the color still looks as if it is 3-4 years old, rather than a decade. This is a big-time winner in 2005 and should drink well for at least another 25+ years.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #219, Jun 2015)

Dark, brick rimmed red; freshly sweet and faintly herbaceous (the Merlot) early bouquet; elegantly balanced, fresh, moderately concentrated medium full wine with a fine tannin; a pure, crisp, freshly sweet fruit, delicate, subtle, long, if for many modern palates a touch on the leaner side; but this is complex and long and complete in its slightly more old fashioned style, with a lovely sweetness of fruit, fine texture and fruit fragrant length. [Very different from, but just as good as, Lascombes]. Needs a few years ideally. 2020-30+

51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. 38.5 hl/ha. Deep garnet hue. Greater depth on the nose than the 2004, the ripeness there. Dark fruit and graphite notes. Layered fruit on the palate. Tannins firm but integrated. Holding up well. (JL)

The Château Brane-Cantenac 2005 has a very classy bouquet, a typical "BC" with Pauillac aspirations: dense black fruit, graphite and cedar, reserved but with sublime focus. The palate is medium-bodied with dense black fruit, salted licorice and white pepper, although I am a little disturbed by a green-ish tinge that becomes more pronounced on the finish. I like the style of this wine, but that just upsets the finish.

– eRobertParker.com, Feb 2015