Chateau Cantenac-Brown 2020

A refined and aromatic Classified Growth from Margaux, revealed by Cantenac Brown

The estate

Chateau Cantenac Brown was built at the beginning of the 19th century by John-Lewis Brown in the town of Cantenac. The property sports an English Renaissance Tudor style in memory of its Scottish origins. Year after year, this magnificent Classified Growth of Margaux has enjoyed a glorious international reputation for the quality of its terroir and its wines. It was at the end of 2019 that Chateau Cantenac-Brown entered a new era in its history following its acquisition by the Le Lous family. After significant investments and restructuring both in the vineyard and in the winery, this Margaux Classified Growth has been elevated to the pinnacle of excellence.

The vineyard

The Cantenac Brown vineyard stretches over 48 hectares in the AOC Margaux, 3.5 in Bordeaux and 1.8 hectares in Bordeaux dry white. Under the direction of José Sanfins, the management of the vineyard is carried out with a profound respect for the environment. The soils are maintained in a traditional way in order to promote microbial life and chemical balance. The fertilizers used are exclusively of plant origin. Thanks to the estate’s highly meticulous technical teams, each vine stock is given plenty of attention.

The vintage

The mild conditions at the start of spring encouraged early vine budding, followed by significant rainfall up to mid-June. Spells of beautiful sunshite allowed for rapid flowering, which took place under the best conditions. Marked by particularly dry conditions, summer was punctuated in mid-August by rainy spells which salvaged the vineyard and the ripening process. In September, a heatwave combined with a refreshing wind promoted a beautiful concentration of berries. Despite lower than average yields, the harvest was of a high quality.

Winemaking and aging

Fermentations were carried out at temperatures 4 to 5°C lower than usual in order to preserve the aromatic richness as much as possible without exaggerating the tannic structure. This 2020 vintage marked the introduction of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Margaux plateau and the Cantenac Brown enclosure into the blend. Aging was carried out in French oak barrels, 60% of which were new barrels and 40% barrels of one previous wine.

Blend

The 2020 Chateau Cantenac Brown is made form a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (67%) and Merlot (33%).

Tasting

With a perfectly balanced power, this 2020 Chateau Cantenac Brown seduces with its dark color and aromatic complexity. The spicy aromas blend harmoniously with noticeable and elegant tannins. Fresh and tasty, this great vintage is a continuation of exceptional vintages such as 2018 and 2019.