Revisiting 2009 Chateau Brane-Cantenac

Even as excitement builds for the 2011 En Primeur campaign, there is a lot of buzz surrounding the newly released 2009 vintage. 2009 was an incredible year for Bordeaux wines in general, but wines from the Margaux region really shined and it is becoming obvious to many critics that Chateau Brane-Cantenac is one of the standout wines from that region.

Here is what the usually harsh James Suckling had to say a few days ago, when he rated the wine a 93:

Beautiful aromas of crushed blueberries and flowers follow through to a full body, with earth, sliced mushroom and dried strawberries. Lemon rind character. Slightly earthy on the finish. Best after 2018.

Chris Kissack (aka the Wine Doctor) is also a fan, here is what he had to say during a visit in October of 2011:

It remains very harmonious and reserved on the palate, and then in the finish there is a sudden wave of exotic fruits and spices, and a flourish of ripe tannins too. Very nicely balanced. Really long and fresh despite the flesh of the vintage. More energy here than in the middle. More substance too. Tasted during a visit to Brane-Cantenac.

Robert Parker also rates the wine highly, giving it a range of 93-95:

A dense plum/purple color is followed by a lovely perfume of flowers, boysenberries, black cherries, and black currants. Seamless in the mouth with stunning concentration, a seductive style, an exquisite Margaux delicacy, and levels of richness and intensity I have never before seen in Brane Cantenac, it should drink effortlessly for 30+ years.

During last month's UGCB tasting in New York several writers mentioned the wine as one of best wines of the event. Even during the tasting a couple of people I knew pulled me aside to ask if I had tried it yet. You really can't beat that kind of buzz.

Here is what I had to say about the vintage during the 2009 En Primeur:

Chateau Brane-Cantenac: This was an all-around elegant wine. It started with very refined green pepper and plum aromas. Then soft, lingering tannins, that slowly worked their way to the back of the mouth and lingered. Incredible body, a wine that feels like it will age extremely well.

My tasting notes from last month:

A masterful combination of elegance and power. The wine greets with aromas of blackberry, violet and black currant. Concentrated fruit and strong tannins blend seamlessly and lead to a long finish that ends with earthy notes.