The 2020 Cantenac Brown is a knock-out. A Margaux of towering intensity, the 2020 is dense and vertical at the same time. It’s a combination that works so well. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice and cloves all saturate the palate. There's real depth and concentration here from the summer heat and small size of the berries, but at the same time the 2020 has more freshness and energy than some recent years. There have been quite a few changes here in recent years, starting with a new parcel on the Margaux plateau that entered the blend in 2019 and move towards lower toast levels in the barrels. Cantenac Brown remains a potent, opulent Margaux, but 2020 has a measure of classicism as well. Superb.

Fantastic depth of fruit with layers of firm, chewy tannins that are medium-grained and long in the mouth. Full and dynamic. One of the best ever.

Inky in color, the wine hits all the right notes with its floral, camphor, blackberry, incense, espresso and black currant aromatics. There is serious intensity here with layers of ripe, sweet, dark fruits, toasty oak and polished tannins on the mid-palate and in the finish. Long, and deep, give this at least 7-8 in the cellar and this is going to really start to show well. 94-96

The 2020 Cantenac Brown delivered the goods from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a wonderful, very expressive and complex bouquet with blackberry, raspberry, potpourri and light graphite aromas. You could lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine grip, quite firm in the mouth, good density and concentration with an almost sinewy finish. I can see this closing down for some time before reemerging. Have patience - it will be worth the wait.

Tasted by Jane Anson (at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 01 May 2021)

Silky with touches of caramel, chocolate, blueberry, raspberries and boysenberries - all those autumnal fruits that have texture and acidity to them, with the signature gloss of Cantenac Brown. Clear peony, violet notes also. A linen texture that slows the passage of the wine through the mouth. Retasted at UGC and this is again good quality, the austerity on the tannins is marked right now, but there is plenty of life ahead here. New owner Tristan le Lous as of 2019, and this wine also includes the new 9.5ha vines of vines from Château Charmant and la Galiane (bought in July 2020). The fermentation was conducted at temperatures 4-5 °C lower than average to preserve fruit. 60% new oak. Harvest 10 to 30 September.

Drinking Window 2028 - 2044

Drink Date
2025 - 2042

Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Cantenac Brown slides effortlessly out of the glass with pronounced notes of licorice, tar, tapenade and fertile loam over a core of warm cassis and plum preserves, with a waft of charcuterie. The medium-bodied palate is refreshing, bursting with crunchy black fruit and herbal sparks with a well-managed, grainy texture, finishing long and earthy.

(67% CS, 33% M; 51% harvest; 13.6% ABV; 60% new)
Fine nose, gravelly behind the ripe, fresh black fruit, but subtle and classy, too; full, fresh, finely tannic, a very nice harmony, just a touch of new-oak dryness; gently “packed,” firm-fleshed, long, and close-grained, freshly, deliciously sweet, a subtle complexity, and lovely length of both the fruit and gentle mineral aromas on the finish. A slightly more solid Margaux style, but this is really very good. 2028–50+.

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot. Cask sample.
Delicately floral and fruity on the nose with just a hint of oak. Soft and supple on entry then a lingering freshness. Adequate juice and fine tannins with a leafy, Cabernet note on the finish. More refined and less chunky than in the past. (JL)