2008 Chateau Cantenac Brown 3eme Cru Classe, Margaux

A beautiful effort, the medium to full-bodied 2008 demonstrates the resurgence in quality being enjoyed by this long-time Margaux underachiever. Perfumed aromas of licorice, spring flowers, black currants and subtle oak are followed by a soft, round, opulent, sexy, generous, savory wine revealing no hard edges. Enjoy this pure, seductive 2008 over the next 12-15 years.

Deep red-ruby. Initially reticent but deep nose hints at blueberry juice, blackberry liqueur and roasted smoky plum. Creamy and sweet on entry, with black fruit and mineral flavors given a firm edge by licorice and herbs and strong acidity. Finishes pure and long, if a little leaner than the nose would have suggested, but with noteworthy precision. This should need about three years of cellaring upon release and then give pleasure for two decades. One of the best young wines I've yet tasted from this estate. Only 33% of total production went into the grand vin

The 2008 Cantenac Brown is a vintage that I have not tasted for a number of years. It is quite high-toned on the nose with touches of cough candy infusing the red berry fruit, espresso and mint emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, rather dense and grippy, though it is missing the precision of latter vintages on the stocky finish that suggests it might benefit from further cellaring. Tasted at the Cantenac Brown vertical at the château.