2011 Château Brane-Cantenac, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Better than expected showing for this wine from a challenging vintage. At age 13, it is drinking well. It is a blend of 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and .5% Carmenère. Purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, leather, cedar and tobacco. Very much a "perfumed" quality. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. Soft texture. Good depth and complexity. On the palate, this seems to be at peak. Layers of cassis and black cherries with tobacco and earthiness. Nice finish. It will drink well for another five to eight years, but won't get any better. Nicce on its own and will work well with roasted meats, veggies or fowl.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2011

Current Price:

$90.00USD

2009 Château Brane-Cantenac, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage:

2009

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$90.00USD

This is a second growth under the 1855 classification system. Not a super second but often can be found for a reasonable price. A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. Purple in color, opaque and bright. Slight funk in the glass which slightly blows off with air. Cassis, cedar and roasted herbs. On the palate, this has nice fruit plums and cass along with some underlying spice/cedar. Slightly drying tannins. Long finish. This drinks well on its own and will work well with roasted fowl or meats. It is close to peak but may still be a bit better. It sh

2000 Château Brane-Cantenac, France, Bordeaux, Wine Review

Vintage:

2000

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$140.00USD

For wines that are purchased on release and cellared for years, it is rare to hit a bottle at its exact prime. Often the bottle is opened too early, or too late. Wine lovers often discuss which is better.

1998 Château Margaux, France,Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage:

1998

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$400.00USD

Any time one gets a chance to drink a first growth, it's a true pleasure. They have become prohibitively priced, so its nice when a bottle actually gets open and consumed. Perhaps not the greatest vintage of Margaux, but a very good one. At age 22, this is pretty much at peak and drinking very well. Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has a bit of that Margaux liquor/perfume with cherries, cassis, slight spice, and leather but clean. Full bodied. Medium tannins. The palate has black cherries, slight black tea, and slight soy. Long finish.

1988 Château Margaux, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage:

1988

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$800.00USD

It is always a treat to drink a mature First Growth. This is fully mature and drinking beautifully. 12.5% abv according to the importer sticker on the bottle. Purple/ruby in color with some browning at the rim, mostly clear and a bit flat. The nose is dusty with cassis and tobacco. With air some dried fruits come out. Medium bodied. On the palate, this has a vibrant acidity. Nice cherry and black cherry fruit with some cassis. Layers of complexity. Fruit over spice and dried forest floor. Nice finish. This begs for food and went well with a roasted Brie but would work well with

1999 Château Palmer, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

Vintage:

1999

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$295.00USD

Though 1999 is a good if not great vintage, Palmer is certainly one of the top wines of the vintage. This is a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. It is at peak. This bottle was opened at 2:00 and allowed to breathe until 5:00 when it was double decanted back to its original bottle and sealed before serving at around 8:00. That seemed to be about right. Garnet in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, spice, cedar and floral notes. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this is complex and layered. Cassis

2011 Château Brane-Cantenac, France, Bordeaux, Margaux, Wine Review

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