2016 CHÂTEAU CANTENAC BROWN Cru Classé Margaux, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU CANTENAC BROWN

2017 Cru Classé Margaux

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Margaux
Classification Cru Classé

The 2017 Cantenac Brown feels a little disjointed on the nose, not quite as ripe as its peers with moderate fruit intensity. There is just a little greenness that nags away in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, quite grippy tannins. This is a structured and more masculine style of Cantenac Brown, although it manages to deliver plenty of finesse towards the finish and there is commendable length. I would just like a little more charm by the time of bottling. Tasted on three occasions. Drinking range: 2020 - 2032 Rating: 89-91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


Deep greyish crimson. Deeply inviting aroma of pure cedary cassis and just a touch of vanilla. Classic bordeaux flavours on the palate, with dark fruit, a hint of graphite and a little oak sweetness. Lightish, fresh and harmonious, Light tannins, but a little bit dilute and herbaceous on the finish. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 15.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)

With a larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cantenac Brown leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, warm plums and black forest cake with touches of violets, dark chocolate, cloves and cigar box plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied and firm with fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with plenty of black fruit and perfumed layers. Rating: 90-92 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2018)

The dial is just a little more turned-up here compared to most Margaux this year, but it works. Subtle charred oak notes are evident on the nose, with tight, savoury cassis and bilberry running through the mid-palate without dipping at all. It ends well, with a breadcrumb trail of carefully placed fruits. Nobody is going to call this broad-shouldered or a fruit bomb, but it is successfully expressed and really elegant, with layers of flavour. It's a wine that should be lovely to open in around eight years, so a little earlier than usual, but with good ageing potential. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)

Château Cantenac Brown

Margaux Troisième cru 1855 In 1754 Jacques Boyd, who was of Irish descent, bought the estate that he would call, quite logically, Château Boyd. In 1806 he sold to a John Lewis Brown, of Scottish descent and the owner of Château Brown (in Pessac-Léognan). Some confusion then arises as the Cantenac property was also often referred to as Château Brown. Some grand parties followed at the newly-built tudor-style mansion before bankruptcy forced the sale of the estate in 1843. By the time of the 1855 classification, it was once again known as Château Boyd. Some time during the 19th Century, a portion of Château Boyd was divided off and, under the ownership of Armand Lalande (who also owned Château Leoville Poyferré), the impressive and unusual château that adorns the label was built and the name Cantenac-Brown was settled upon. The remainder of the estate went on to become Château Boyd-Cantenac. The period from the end of the 19th Century to the latter half of the 20th is a familiar story of decline. Salvation appeared when AXA Millésimes bought Cantenac-Brown in 1989, and they made great improvements to the estate, so it was a surprise when they sold to a British businessman Simon Halabi in 2006. The Cantenac-Brown rennaissance continues, however, under the new ownership. The 42ha of vineyard, farmed "in a more environmentally friendly way", are composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The Grand Vin spends 12 to 15 months in wood, of which 50% is new and the other 50% one year old. There is a second wine - BRIO de Cantenac Brown.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
  • For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
  • We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
  • Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
  • Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.

RELATED PRODUCTS

ORDER     COLLECT

ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS