Château Cantenac Brown
Alto de Cantenac Brown Margaux Sauvignon Blanc
Margaux, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Pale lemon in color.
Light nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex.
Showing limes, citrus, green apples, light grapefruits, herbs, minerals and white pepper.
This is a very tasty Sauvignon Blanc from the house of Cantenac Brown in Bordeaux. Rich and elegant. Well balanced and easy drinking.
A good quality wine, that needs some time to open up.
Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years and see how it evolves.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, and better when not too cold.
A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon. Aged in used French oak barrels for 12 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$40.
Pale lemon in color.
Light nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex.
Showing limes, citrus, green apples, light grapefruits, herbs, minerals and white pepper.
This is a very tasty Sauvignon Blanc from the house of Cantenac Brown in Bordeaux. Rich and elegant. Well balanced and easy drinking.
A good quality wine, that needs some time to open up.
Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years and see how it evolves.
Good by itself as a sipping wine, and better when not too cold.
A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Sémillon. Aged in used French oak barrels for 12 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$40.
Nice everyday Bordeaux Blanc. Lemongrass and key lime.
Nice everyday Bordeaux Blanc. Lemongrass and key lime.
Apr 18th, 2024
Pale lemon color with aromas of citrus, tropical and white flesh fruit. On the palate flavors of peach, melon and crisp apple with lemon citrus zest and grassy notes with lively acidity. Medium finish ending with fruit, herb citrus and mineral character.
Pale lemon color with aromas of citrus, tropical and white flesh fruit. On the palate flavors of peach, melon and crisp apple with lemon citrus zest and grassy notes with lively acidity. Medium finish ending with fruit, herb citrus and mineral character.
Apr 17th, 2023
Star bright straw yellow. Shy nose of dried quince and honeysuckle. Medium bodied palate of quince, honeysuckle, balsam, and a hint of white pepper on the moderate finish. A bit more woody than I’m used to, but not in an overpowering way. Just very present. Trout almandine would be an excellent match for this classic Bordeaux Blanc. Drink now through 2023 (preferably sooner).
Star bright straw yellow. Shy nose of dried quince and honeysuckle. Medium bodied palate of quince, honeysuckle, balsam, and a hint of white pepper on the moderate finish. A bit more woody than I’m used to, but not in an overpowering way. Just very present. Trout almandine would be an excellent match for this classic Bordeaux Blanc. Drink now through 2023 (preferably sooner).
Oct 13th, 2021
Stunning wine at an incredible price! Tasted at the Chateau and brought a bottle back.
Stunning wine at an incredible price! Tasted at the Chateau and brought a bottle back.
1 person found it helpfulApr 9th, 2018William And Gail had this 8 years ago
William And Gail had this 8 years ago
1 person found it helpfulFeb 4th, 2018
What a beautiful Bordeaux blanc this is. 'Balanced' is one if the best descriptors for this wine. It hits all 3 corners of the triangle of deliciousness. Floral, complex, and balance. Alto is also a great name for this wine, because the nose hits high, bright and round notes of lemon oil, fresh ginger, pineapple, vanilla cream, white flowers, and smoke/flint. The pallet has some bright juicy acidity, and a round, refreshing, and light mouth feel - lemon tart, candied ginger, tangerine, underripe grapefruit, and white pepper lingering on the pallet for an awesome finish. If you can get some still, buy it up. It's a must for the cellar diversity, and it was created to resemble the best of Sancerre wines. It shares a striking resemblance!
Vineyard: 1.80 ha
Grape varieties:
90% Sauvignon Blanc
10% Semillon
Fermentation: Hand harvested in small crates with refrigerated transport, slow pressurization by inert gas, alcoholic fermentation in barrels.
Ageing: 100% in one-year-old barrels
What a beautiful Bordeaux blanc this is. 'Balanced' is one if the best descriptors for this wine. It hits all 3 corners of the triangle of deliciousness. Floral, complex, and balance. Alto is also a great name for this wine, because the nose hits high, bright and round notes of lemon oil, fresh ginger, pineapple, vanilla cream, white flowers, and smoke/flint. The pallet has some bright juicy acidity, and a round, refreshing, and light mouth feel - lemon tart, candied ginger, tangerine, underripe grapefruit, and white pepper lingering on the pallet for an awesome finish. If you can get some still, buy it up. It's a must for the cellar diversity, and it was created to resemble the best of Sancerre wines. It shares a striking resemblance!
Vineyard: 1.80 ha
Grape varieties:
90% Sauvignon Blanc
10% Semillon
Fermentation: Hand harvested in small crates with refrigerated transport, slow pressurization by inert gas, alcoholic fermentation in barrels.
Ageing: 100% in one-year-old barrels
This is the WHITE Alto Brdx. Sauv blanc really shines through- the sem is perfectly balanced. Thoroughly enjoyable. Perfect with food or on its own.
This is the WHITE Alto Brdx. Sauv blanc really shines through- the sem is perfectly balanced. Thoroughly enjoyable. Perfect with food or on its own.
Sep 12th, 2016
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.
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.