I had a bottle a little over a year ago, and since then this has opened up and put on some weight. Semillon-heavy nose exhibits loads of waxy, lanolin-like scents, honeysuckle, toast, and pear. Full on the palate, with low-toned pear flavors, and a vague buttered honey note. Nice acids poke through to enliven it. Still feels like it’s on the path to full integration, but not quite there. Nice. — 2 months ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Light nose and medium in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex, with a very soft mouthfeel.
Showing currants, light wood, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, licorice, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This delicious 13 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaux is starting to drink nicely now. Elegant and rich. Fruit forward and nicely balanced. Complex and interesting.
Showing more earth notes than the 2016 vintage, and a little reserved right now.
This 3rd Growth Cabernet is a good sipping wine, and will also pair nicely with BBQ Meats.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Aged in (60% new) French oak barrels for 14 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$100. — 4 months ago
Classic Zin. Fruity and clean. — a month ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of blueberries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates and coffee.
Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, light oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs and spices.
Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 9 year old Merlot from the great 2016 vintage in Margaux still feels young. Rich and fruit forward. Spicy and entertaining.
An easy drinking Merlot that will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.
Good by itself or with food.
A blend of 49% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (25% new) French Oak barrels for 12 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$45. — 2 months ago
This out of 3 Liter. Tasting great. Cranberry. — 5 months ago
Flight 4 , wine 2. This was quite a difficult wine to read at first , again quite closed , mineral and tobacco edged . Dark fruits. On the palate rounder than expected , good richness and balance , dark cherry , blackberry fruit . Good rounded tannin and ok length . Quite obviously Bordeaux in the context of this tasting , though I had this as the Lynch Bages 1982 when it was actually the Brane Cantenac 1986 …..I give up ! 90
This was an interesting , though challenging tasting , all served blind in flights of 2 wines , 3 flights of 1 Napa and 1 Bordeaux and 1 of 2 Bordeaux; served in a random sequence . The fact that at least a couple of wines were not pristine didn’t help , though if you will taste 8 , 40 year old wines that is probably par for the course . I found it relatively easy to spot whether what was in the glass was Napa or Bordeaux but didn’t actually get a single wine completely correct ! Probably overall the winner of the tasting was Napa (won the 3 rounds 2-1) as they had more suave polished , rounded personalities. Many put the wines the wrong way round , imagining that Napa was Bordeaux etc. The 1982s in general showed poorly too much funk and brett on the Lynch and Talbot but the Duhart showed surprisingly well . The 86s both showed pretty well and equalled the Dominus (even though I didn’t think we had a pristine bottle) . The Montelena was enjoyable , though was the first to oxidise whilst the Inglenook was the biggest positive surprise , still drinking surprisingly well at 47 . — 7 months ago
Definitely will buy this again! — 24 days ago
Alto de Cantenac Brown, 2022
Margaux (Left Bank) – Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
Overview
A rare white from the Left Bank, produced by Château Cantenac Brown, a 3rd Growth estate in Margaux. Crafted from 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon, sourced from a tiny 1.8-hectare parcel planted specifically for this cuvée. Fermented in oak barrels (90% one-year-old French oak), giving it elegance and complexity in limited quantities.
Aromas & Flavors
Nose: perfumed, layered with white flowers, citrus zest, mandarin, and ripe stone fruits, accented by delicate oak spice and minerality.
Palate: vibrant and structured, unfolding flavors of lemon curd, peach skin, and hints of vanilla, with a chalky mineral lift and refined texture.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied, with zesty acidity, refined minerality, and a silky finish. The oak adds subtle creaminess without overpowering the freshness, resulting in a wine of tension and precision.
Winemaking & Style
Produced in extremely small quantities, this cuvée reflects the château’s dedication to expressing the terroir of Margaux through a white wine that rivals the sophistication of the region’s reds. Aged for 9 months on lees in barrel, it showcases balance, aromatic depth, and aging potential.
Food Pairing
A versatile white that shines with lobster, scallops, creamy risotto, or roast chicken with herbs. Also excellent with aged goat cheese or truffle-accented dishes.
Verdict
A luxurious and limited-production Bordeaux Blanc, blending elegance, minerality, and aromatic finesse. Age-worthy for 5–10 years, but already delightful today. A true gem for white Bordeaux lovers.
— 2 months ago
Neil Valenzuela
Deep purple color. Aromas of red and black fruit, floral notes, leather and dusty earth. Plum on the palate, blackberry and herbal notes. Ridiculously good for $65. — a month ago