Margaux

2018

3rd Growth

69% Cabernet Sauvignon
28% Merlot
3% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux

ESTATE HISTORY

The history of Château Cantenac Brown dates back to the early nineteenth century when John Lewis Brown, a Scottish-born animal painter, bought the vineyard. He thought about a castle of the English Renaissance style (Tudor) and orders its construction. Lover of good wines and big parties, he organizes his famous luxury parties. He sold it in 1843 to a banker named Gromard. The latter is at the head of the estate in 1855, when the property is classified third Grand Cru. In 2019, the Le Lous family acquired the property and wishes to continue to develop the activity of this superb property.

TERROIR

The château is located on stony land in the south of Margaux on a gravelly soil typical of the Medoc allowing good drainage.

The vineyard covers 148 acres (60 ha). The average age of the vines is 35 years old. The management of the vineyard is more respectful of the environment as the years go by: the sustainable viticulture is obvious for the domain. 

TASTING

94 points Decanter

"This has a lot of elegance even though it is a powerful wine; there is a lovely lifting freshness through the palate along with ripples of blackberry and damson fruit. Just a touch of heat on the finish that dampens things down. (JA) " 

94 points James Suckling

"Rich and polished aromas of blueberry, lavender, dark chocolate, hazelnut and sweet tobacco. It’s full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Creamy layers of ripe fruit and wood. Long and caressing. Lovely ripe fruit in the center palate. Try from 2024."

94 points Wine Spectator

"Shows a touch of dark earth out front, with a mix of smoldering tobacco, espresso crema and singed alder notes before the core of warmed plum and blackberry reduction flavors finally starts to unwind. Just a touch burly for a Margaux, but certainly lots to like here and ample range and length. Time will likely add that last bit of refinement. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. (JM)"

91-93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2018 Cantenac Brown is deep garnet-purple in color and a little coy to begin and then, with coaxing, opens out to lovely red roses, black tea, violets and underbrush scents with a core of warm red and black currants and chocolate-covered cherries. Full-bodied and laden with perfumed red and black fruit layers, it has a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and a long, fragrant finish. (RP)"

When tasted, Château Cantenac Brown offers a balanced aromatic richness and great refinement, in the pure style of the wines of Margaux. The signature of the château can be summed up in two words: flesh and tension.

*Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.