2021 Baron de Brane
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Tasting notes
The 2021 Baron de Brane was bottled in May. The nose has gained a bit more depth and concentration since I tasted it from barrel, showing the same raspberry and strawberry fruit with light gravelly scents. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins. There is noticeable acidity here that lends freshness. The 2021 is distinctly classic in style, linear and focused, with gentle grip on the finish. Drink it over the next six to eight years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Baron de Brane is a very pretty, juicy second wine from Brane-Cantenac. Supple Merlot fruit drives this racy, open-knit offering. Dark cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, spice and a hint of new oak are front and center. The 2021 is impeccably balanced and delicious.
Matured in barriques, the 2021 Baron de Brane offers up aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, violets and sweet soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy palate that's pure and open-knit, with powdery structuring tannins that don't prevent this from remaining youthfully accessible.
The 2021 Baron de Brane, which represents around 40% of the crop, has an open-knit nose of raspberry coulis and wild strawberry scents, a touch of warm gravel in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry and quite pronounced graphite notes on the finish. Give this 3–4 years once in bottle.
About the producer
Château Brane-Cantenac has been a consistent performer in the Margaux wine appellation since Henri Lurton took over the property, but thanks to replanting and investment in the last decade, quality has seen another sharp upswing.