1985 - Brane-Cantenac, Margaux

Shared during the Mentor Week at the château, and it just blew everyone away around the table. These are always special moments (as with the Kirwan 1982 during the 2023 Mentor Week) when the magic of mature Bordeaux becomes clear. This is full of melted tannins, very much in its drinking window, with a slide towards tertiary smoked earth and campfire notes, still with softened raspberry puree fruits. Delicate, fragrant, one to savour, and consider drinking within the next decade.

The 1985 Brane-Cantenac was picked September 24 to October 13. It has a fleshy, animally, almost Rhône-like bouquet of red fruit infused with leather, fennel and briar. This is one of the most savory wines of the decade. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded, corpulent, soft red fruit tinged with fennel, orange peel and Chinese five-spice. It is complex in style, but overall, it is no more, no less than a thoroughly enjoyable Brane-Cantenac. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château.

Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château, the 1985 Brane-Cantenac is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, and has an attractive game, animally, almost Rhône-like bouquet that is still fresh and generous. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, not a complex or profound Brane-Cantenac, yet harmonious and in the context of other vintages, it is a smooth-textured wine with a ferrous, savory finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. Still offering pleasure, enjoy this mature Margaux over the next decade or so. Tasted March 2016.