Appellations

Cantenac Brown 2016

Margaux, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2016 Cantenac Brown is a super-concentrated, potent Margaux. Raspberry jam, mocha, licorice, plum, new oak and spice are all lavishly rendered. Broad and sweeping on the palate, with tremendous richness and resonance, Cantenac Brown is one of the bigger, more overt Margauxs of the vintage. Readers should expect a big, ripe wine. In several tastings, the 2016 has come across as a bit over the top, at least for my personal taste. Technical Director Jose Sanfins gave the 2016 16 months in oak, 60% new.

Score: 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2024-2041 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Cantenac Brown is a powerful, intense wine, but it also comes across as a bit monolithic. There is plenty of depth to the inky red cherry, raspberry jam and spice notes. The tannins are present, but they are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. Today, the 2016 comes across as very raw and fruit-driven. It will be interesting to see how things develop.

Score: 89 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 25 April 2017

The 2016 Cantenac Brown has an intense bouquet of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, pencil lead and sous-bois. There is gutsiness to these aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin and a rounded texture. A little heavier than the Brane-Cantenac, displaying fine structure and persistency on the finish. Do not ignore this.

Score: 93 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2050 Date: 01 January 2019

The 2016 Cantenac Brown comes from a Margaux estate that has upped its game in recent years. It has an intense bouquet with floral aromas filtering through the black cherries, cassis and boysenberry notes, in an odd way almost Saint-Emilion in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. Silky smooth with very well-judged acidity, there is a sorbet-like freshness imbued into this Margaux and it just glides across the palate towards the quite sensual finish. This is certainly equal to the impressive 2015 Cantenac Brown.

Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2045 Date: 28 April 2017

This is an elegant and beautifully balanced wine with plush damson aromatics and a punch of fruit that is totally captivating. The soft but extensive tannins of 2016 are fully on display, lush and well-worked. There is some charcoal and liquorice sitting underneath, with the wet stone minerality that always elevates a wine up to the next level. Very good.

Score: 94 Decanter, - Maturity: 2027-2050 Date: 20 April 2017

Deep purple with a discreet but refined nose of black cherry and a touch of smoke. Moderate weight of ripe fruit and charm. Lovely overall balance and elegance.

Score: 92 - 94 Albany Vintners, - Date: 19 April 2017

Dark crimson. Relatively high VA. Thick and sweet but with a green edge. Not the most generous nor the ripest Margaux. Falls away pretty suddenly on the palate. An attempt at glamour certainly. (16+)

Score: 16 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2025-2040 Date: 17 April 2017

Focused, with a light brambly frame around the juicy plum and blackberry fruit. Fresh bay and singed juniper notes line the finish. Nicely integrated and showing solid range. Well done.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 10 April 2017

A young red with lovely density and richness defined by currant and light coffee-bean character. Medium to full body and lightly chewy tannins. Lots here in the glass.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 04 April 2017