Château Brane-Cantenac

Château Brane-Cantenac is a winery in the Margaux appellation of the Bordeaux wine region of France. The wine produced here was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. The estate also produces a second wine named Baron de Brane, a label named Château Notton, and a generic Margaux.

The origins of Brane-Cantenac date back over 250 years.  Known as “Hostein” in the 18th century, this great wine estate was bought by the Gorce family, and produced one of the Medoc’s most renowned wines long before the 1855 classification. The name of the second wine, Baron de Brane, pays hommage to the famous Baron Jacques-Maxime de Brane, the “Napoléon des Vignes”, owner of the property in the 19th Century. For the past 4 generations, the Lurton family has been at the helm; they are devoted stewards who continue to ensure that the property flourishes, producing wines of the greatest quality. Since 1992, Henri Lurton has continued the journey that his father and ancestors began. Although a proponent of innovation and new technology, Henri is careful never to lose sight of the traditional values that remain an inherent part of Brane’s identity. Above all, he is proud of the unique terroir, and recognizes the need to treat the soil, vines, and grapes with immense respect.

Production Area: 75 hectares in the Margaux appellation.

Terroir: There are 3 main terroirs on the estate: the first and the most valued is a large sweep of gravel in front of the château at the top of the Margaux-Cantenac plateau.  The plateau de Brane has a thick layer of surface gravel, which provides both radiant heat to the vines as well as excellent drainage. The second section is centered around and behind the château; here there is still gravel, but a higher proportion of sandy soil, and no clay.  The third section is on the other side of the Route d’Arsac; this is La Verdotte, a 10-hectare vineyard planted 35 years ago; here the soil is a gravelly sand again. There is a fourth vineyard, Notton, a 13-hectare plot of coarse gravel over clay, and more distant from Brane-Cantenac than the other vines.

Plantation Density: 8,000 vines per hectare

Average Age of the Vines: 35 years old

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon covers 55% of the vineyard, with 40% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Carmenère

Harvest: The fruit is picked by hand with typical yields around 45 hl/ha, and then transported to the cellar using the Air Tec system which cushions the fruit, protecting it from damage with its pneumatic suspension.  The freshly harvested fruit enjoys a cold soak; for wet vintages, the team uses concentration methods, reducing the water content of the must by vacuum extraction.

Vinification: The fermentation is induced by inoculation with yeast, and in the first few vats there may also be contemporaneous inoculation with malolactic bacteria. The fermentation is naturally temperature controlled, and may last between 7 and 10 days.  As it progresses, the wine can see a lot of handling, not only pumping over but sometimes pigeage and even délestage.  The fruit will see a maceration lasting between 20 and 30 days before pressing using two pneumatic presses, and both the free-run and press wines are then fed into barrels, using 60-70% new oak, ready for malolactic fermentation.

Overview: The name of the second wine honors Baron Hector de Brane, who owned the estate in the 19th century. Blended from vats carefully selected for their suppleness, it is aged just like the First Wine, but for a 12-month period.

Harvest Dates: September through October

Average Yield: 41 hl/ha

Percent of First Wine Produced: 33

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Barrel Aging: 12 months in 20% new French oak

Cellaring Potential: 10-15 years. At its best from 2015 onwards.

Tasting Notes: Attractive dark red hue with a highly aromatic nose typical of Margaux. In the mouth, a tight, smooth attack with a very fine balance of delicateness and soft, rounded tannins.

Margaux de Brane

Overview: Henri Lurton selects the youngest plots from the vineyard for Margaux de Brane. A silky, fruit-driven wine with impressive roundness and red fruit flavors, the wine is accessible in style. It offers an introduction to the wonders of the Margaux appellation and in particular to the signature style of Brane.

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Average Yield: 44.8 hl/ha

Aging: 12 months in cellar

Cellaring Potential: 5-10 years

Winemaker Notes: “Very expressive nose, bursting with strawberry and cherry aromas, with floral and vanilla hints. Sweet and subtle attack on the palate, very round bodied, with a velvety texture and a long aromatic finish. Charming wine with a lot of freshness and lovely soft tannins.”