2009 Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux, Bordeaux

Ripe and succulent with the lovely perfume of great Margaux, this is concentrated but fresh, supple but structured, and very, very harmonious. Beautifully balanced and with great poise, this wears its 60% new oak like a glove. Henri Lurton mentioned that in 2009, the grape juice before fermentation was so fragrant that the vat room was already full of the smell of blackberries and raspberries. This certainly translates into the wine; it is a very fine achievement.

Berry Bros. & Rudd