The 2014 Brane-Cantenac offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, traces of cedar and tobacco, even a mote of chalk dust. It is understated but very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, smooth and silky in texture, the acidity well judged but just a touch of greenness shows on the finish, as it often does with this château. Just give it the prerequisite bottle age of ten years or so and you will have a very fine Margaux. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. - vinous.com, March 2018

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. 44.8 hl/ha. Crimson hue. Fresh and expressive on the nose with dark fruit to the fore. Round, supple and caressing on attack, the tannins fine and integrated. Clean, long finish. Not quite among the top years but harmonious and has all the necessary components. Probably good value. (JL)

Mid crimson. Ripe and plummy on the nose and just a touch leafy. Relatively light on the mid palate but balanced. Very finely textured so although it is light it is very harmonious. Soft, chocolatey finish. (JH)

Dark, fairly evolved crimson. Sweet, light, a bit simple and green. When tasted blind, this particular sample gave the impression of having been made rather casually, but I am assured this is far from the case. Doubtless it will take on flesh and interest in cask. (JR)