Chateau Brane Cantenac   Chateau Brane Cantenac

2002 Chateau Brane-Cantenac

By Chateau Brane-Cantenac

2002 Chateau Brane-Cantenac from Chateau Brane-Cantenac, Margaux, Bordeaux

In the pantheon of Bordeaux vintages, there are years that sing and years that hint at whispers of greatness. The 2002 vintage from the storied terroir of Margaux demonstrates how elegance can be coaxed from austerity, a subtle art deftly mastered by Chateau Brane-Cantenac. This was a vintage that presented viticulturists with a series of climatic hurdles, yet the resulting wine exemplifies the resilience and finesse of the estate's terroir.

 

A Vintage of Tenacity and Grace

The 2002 Chateau Brane-Cantenac is, above all, a testament to the mettle of Margaux. A cool and damp start to the season delayed flowering, only for the vines to be later besieged by summer rain, which imperilled ripeness. It was the dry and sunny reprieve come September that ensured a crop with enough concentration to translate Margaux’s signature elegance into the bottle. Investors with an eye for nuance would do well to note this vintage's role in showcasing the estate's commitment to quality in challenging years.

 

The Tasting Journey: Unwavering Complexity

In tasting the 2002 Chateau Brane-Cantenac, one is met with an initial reserve. With patience, however, the layers unfold: red fruits and cigar box nuances emerge, followed by an earthy complexity and floral undertones redolent of violets – classic traits of Margaux terroir. The palate offers forth a kind of restrained opulence, with a finely wrought structure leading to a lingering finish that speaks more of grace than power.

For collectors and connoisseurs, this vintage interlaces character with understated confidence; it engages with those willing to invest not just in wine itself but in the unfolding narrative that each glass contains.

 

In Consideration for The Wine Investor

A sophisticated addition to any investment portfolio, the 2002 Chateau Brane-Cantenac presents an illustration of Margaux's adaptability. Investment-wise, this vintage stands poised between immediate pleasure and potential for further maturation. Its quiet assertiveness is a hallmark that promises more profound revelations with time; this is a journey well worth embarking upon for those attuned to Bordeaux's less boisterous vintages.

As one considers potency coupled with precision in their fine wine investments, integrating the 2002 Chateau Brane-Cantenac into one’s collection might just epitomise savvy enological entrepreneurship.

Market price (HKD)

HK$5,570.00

12x75cl

Highest score

88

POP score

72.5

Scores and tasting notes

88

Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château, the 2002 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 6% Cabernet France matured in 70% new French oak. It is clean and fresh on the nose: blackberry, tobacco and gravel notes emerging nicely from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple blackberry and strawberry fruit, that tincture of tobacco coming through towards the conservative, but fresh finish. The 2002 is maturing in commendable fashion and whilst it will not soar towards the heavens, it should continue to drink well for several years. Tasted April 2015.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 30 December 2016

Vintage performance