Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux (Bordeaux, France) 2020

 Château Brane-Cantenac, in the Margaux appellation, rests on one of the highest gravel mounds in the appellation.  The deep gravel soils around the Château provide some of the best terroir in Margaux.  It was designated as a Second Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and, prior to phylloxera, was regarded by some as the top Second Growth in the market.  Like many chateaux, Brane-Cantenac endured challenging economic times due to phylloxera, poor vintages, the Great Depression and two World Wars.  Even in the post-WW2 era, Brane Cantenac was often considered an under-performing estate.  When Henri Lurton began managing the estate in 1992, he started a comprehensive plan of replanting and modernization.  Those plans have succeeded.  Brane-Cantenac has regained its quality focus and the 2020 Grand Vin lives up to its lofty designation.  This is a lovely example of Margaux style.  Ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, red cherry and plum fruits are laced with hints of violets, smoke, vanilla and baking spices plus subtle tones of herbs and earth.  On the palate, it is impressive for the purity of its fruit plus its sleek and silky texture.  The 2020 Brane-Cantenac is an exemplary Margaux that will begin to show its best in another 5 to 10 years and will cellar well for 20 years beyond that.