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Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
2017 Brio de Cantenac Brown, Château Cantenac Brown Wine Republic

2017 Brio de Cantenac Brown, Château Cantenac Brown

Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Margaux in Velvet

This superlative 2nd wine of Château Cantenac-Brown is a rare beast indeed – with only 2500 cases made each year!  

Fragrant, poised and generously fruited, Brio de Cantenac Brown offers an inviting introduction to the elegance of Margaux. Blackcurrant and ripe cherry lead the way, with softer red berries unfolding beneath notes of cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate. Subtle vanilla and gentle oak spice bring warmth to the bouquet, while a savoury, earthy undertone adds depth. There is richness here, but also the aromatic definition that gives good claret its enduring appeal.

The palate is rounded and textured, with a substantial core of fruit framed by fine tannins and refreshing acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and length, while Merlot lends a supple middle and Cabernet Franc adds aromatic lift. The finish is composed and savoury, carrying dark fruit and a lingering touch of oak. With bottle age already behind it, this is an appealing choice for the dinner table, offering the character of a distinguished Margaux estate in a style intended to become approachable earlier than its grand vin.

For when: Sunday lunch deserves proper claret and an extra hour at the table.

Pairs with: Roast leg of lamb with rosemary, beef Wellington, duck breast with a red wine jus, venison casserole, wild mushroom and lentil pie, or mature Comté.

Created in 2001, Brio is the second wine of Château Cantenac Brown, the Margaux estate classified as a Third Growth in 1855. It comes from a selection of vineyard parcels and receives the same attentive approach as the grand vin, with an emphasis on charm, balance and earlier drinking. The Cabernet-led 2017 gives that welcoming style a distinctly classical structure.

Whats in the bottle
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc

£49.95 - £49.95
£49.95
£49.95 - £49.95
£49.95
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Château Cantenac Brown is a 1855 classified third growth, located in Cantenac within the most prestigious Médoc appellation, Margaux.

The vineyard was founded over 200 years ago by a Scotsman, John Lewis Brown. This visionary figure selected the best parcels of land: his hard work and high standards were rewarded in 1855 when the Bordeaux Classification ranked Cantenac Brown among the most esteemed vineyards. He also built a remarkable Tudor style château reminiscent of his Scottish origins. The estate quickly passed out of his family but his name will be forever linked to the château.

Today the estate is owned by Frenchman Tristan Le Lous who bought it in December 2019 and set about a huge investment into the winemaking facilities. His overarching ambition is to produce one of the very best Margaux wines.

Cantenac Brown has 42 hectares of sustainably cultivated vineyard located in the heart of the Margaux appellation, principally in the southern commune of Cantenac. The Cantenac Brown terroir is made up of gravel which ensures good drainage and Cabernets, in particular, do well in this soil; producing fine wines with intense bouquets which are suitable for ageing.

The 2017 blend comprises 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Merlot was harvested between 14 and 21 September, Cabernet Franc on 26 September, and Cabernet Sauvignon from 27 September to 2 October. Brio accounted for 46% of the estate’s harvest that year.

Selection began in the vineyard, with younger plantings harvested before the older vines reached their desired maturity. Leaf thinning, removal of secondary shoots and selective green harvesting helped manage the crop through the growing season, supporting balanced ripening.

The wine matured for one year in French oak barrels, with 25% new oak and 75% barrels that had already seen one vintage. This measured proportion of new wood adds structure and gentle spice while allowing the fruit to remain central to the wine’s character.

Alcohol: 13.5%.

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