1994 - Brane-Cantenac, Margaux

The colour is holding well, a soft but vivid tawny rose, gentle waves of campfire and tobacco leaf on the aromatics, underpinned by peony. On the palate, this falls a little soft on the finish, with cumin and cardamom spices dominant rather than fruit, although there is still balance and finesse. The third in the trio of challenging vintages (after a frost-impacted 1991), here with a great summer followed by a rainy September. Harvest September 15 to 29, 35hl/h yield, 3.81ph. In the vineyard this year, there were serious drainage works going on, with ploughing reintroduced on the Brane plateau, and trellising raised across the estate. Henri Lurton owner, Jacques Boissenot consultant.