Château Cantenac Brown Margaux 2022 - 3ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This estate was acquired by Simon Halabi, a lover of great Médoc wines, who has provided a motivated team—led by the very friendly and talented José Sanfins—with the resources to improve quality. The most recent vintages have all been successful: wines that are rather full-bodied for Margaux but harmonious in their power. The second wine, Brio, lacks a bit of panache, despite its name, but the estate produces a lovely dry white wine under the Bordeaux appellation, called Alto.

Decanter

About the wine:

Ripe and full-bodied, I love the almost instantaneous burst of fresh, juicy blueberries, accented by a hint of salty licorice, which unfolds on the palate and lingers on the finish. The tannins support the fruit, adding texture and depth, while maintaining an elegant structure and a clean, direct flavor. Beautiful energy and precision. A bit more harmonious than some other Margaux wines—less effervescent, more elegant—yet with lovely complexity, without any single element dominating the others. 2025–2045

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Having shone in recent years, the estate has produced a benchmark 2022 vintage. Led by the great Cabernet Sauvignons (69%) from the Margaux and Cantenac plateaus, it makes a striking first impression with its deep black color. Eighteen months in barrels (30% new oak) infuse the nose with toasty notes, alongside aromas of ripe yet fresh fruit (blackcurrant and raspberry). A lovely freshness runs through a refined, elegant palate that is perfectly silky right down to the tannins. Very long, at once concentrated and airy, with the precision of a master craftsman, this wine embodies the class of Margaux. It will age beautifully. 2030–2042

About the estate:

Dominated by an imposing Neo-Tudor-style castle built in the 19th century by the Scottish wildlife painter John Lewis Brown, this 48-hectare estate—planted on beautiful gravel soils in the heart of the appellation—has enjoyed a renaissance, first thanks to the Axa Group and, since 2006, under the leadership of the Halabi family, who entrusted its management to José Sanfins.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

The 2022 vintage may have taken things a step further: the fruit is irresistible, with notes of raspberries, blackberries, and blackcurrants. A wine that is both alluring and deep, with great aging potential. Very well-defined, it shines with its precision.

About the estate:

This beautiful and imposing Margaux estate consistently produces high-quality wines worthy of its classification. Its dynamic director, José Sanfins, who trained at the Cazes and Axa Millésime schools, knows how to craft wines that are charming, yet also deep and rich (such as the white Alto, produced in small quantities). A new owner, the Le Lous family, has even higher ambitions. An additional 10 hectares were acquired in 2020, and major modernization work on the production facilities is planned. This estate is certainly not resting on its laurels!

James Suckling

About the wine:

Magnificent aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and tapenade unfold on the palate, evolving into a medium-bodied wine with perfectly integrated tannins and great finesse. Its rich, silky, and brilliant texture is impressive. The estate’s best vintage to date. Best enjoyed after 2029.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

With Cantenac Brown, we’ve come to expect wines that prioritize finesse and nuance. The 2022 is no exception to the rule, with its complexity and the way its various elements complement one another. Subtle hints of morello cherries tie in with aromas of peonies, elderflower, sweet spices, and, finally, peppermint. With good density, the wine is slightly creamy, precise, and delicious, supported by smooth tannins that lend it vigor and freshness. An inviting, harmonious, invigorating, mouth-watering, and persistent wine. Once again, this is a magnificent achievement by José Sanfins and his teams. 2027–2047

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

An intense purple color with violet highlights and a black core. A sophisticated nose, marked by aromas of ripe fruit: blackcurrant, blackberries, and cherries. Floral notes emerge in the background. The profile is rounded out by delicate notes of roasted coffee, vanilla, and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine displays excellent structure and beautiful aromatic depth, with an alluring freshness, generous fruitiness, and a spicy character. A wine with wonderful tension and an excellent finish.