Cantenac Brown 2021 (750ML)

94 AG / 92-94 WA / 93 JA / 93 DE / 92-93 JS / 92 VM

The 2021 Cantenac Brown is superb. Rich and flashy, with tons of persistence, the 2021 is a wine of notable depth. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather and mocha are all amplified. Readers will find a Cantenac Brown endowed with notable textural richness. Estate Manager Jose Sanfins opted to bleed the musts, and that resulted in an unusually opulent wine for the year—very much in line with the house style. The 2021 is drop-dead gorgeous. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

The 2021 Cantenac Brown is another fine effort from a Margaux estate that's been on something of a roll of late. Unwinding in the glass with notions of cassis, wild berries, loamy soil and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless, with good concentration, lively acids and a nicely defined finish. José Sanfins and his team opted to wait to pick the estate's Cabernet Sauvignon between the fourth and 12th of October, and that appears to have paid off. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot, and just over half the estate's production went into the grand vin. - Willaim Kelley, Wine Advocate

Ruby red depth to the colour with violet edging. Not as luxurious as the past few years of Cantenac Brown have been, but excellent quality, well put together, finessed and powerful with black cherry fruits and raspberry puree, with tiny pulses of lemongrass acidity. 60% new oak barrels for ageing. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Perfumed black cherries and raspberries on the nose. Lovely sculpting, you get waves of juicy, bright, red summer berries and just-ripe red cherries with creamy, chalky edges. Tannins are present and linger on the tongue, gently gripping the flavours. This has great character, not too dense nor expansive, but good definition, energy and classicism with slate and crushed stone. Touch of bitter black chocolate marks the finish which is extremely attractive. Excellent job from winemaker José Sanfins. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

A firm and chewy red with notes of currants, bark, tea leaves and walnut husk. Medium-bodied, firm, ripe and compact. Pretty, clear fruit. Blackcurrants. 73% cabernet sauvignon and 27% merlot. - James Suckling

The 2021 Cantenac Brown has commendable fruit intensity on the nose considering the growing season: blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, crushed stone, touches of cedar and tobacco. The palate is well-balanced with a crisp bead of acidity, sapid in the mouth and harmonious, with a conspicuous marine influence toward the finish that holds your interest. This is a very well-crafted Margaux that should give 20 years of drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media