Wine Spectator

This still broods seriously, with dark plum, currant and blackberry fruit, studded with charcoal, singed tobacco and cedar notes and backed by a serious grip of roasted earth. The gorgeously long finish is driven by old-school tannins, with the smoldering edge going on and on. A brick house of a Margaux, with more charcoal than graphite, more austerity than elegance and more power than refinement. (JM, Web-2014)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Medium garnet colour going brick at the rim. The nose is beginning to showing signs of evolution with aromas of leather, game, warm cassis, dried plums and cloves. Medium to high acidity, medium body and medium to firm, fine tannins support earthy, blackcurrant-preserve fruit. Long finish. (LPB)

(05/2009)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Excellent deep ruby color. Very complex aromas of blackcurrant, wild plum, violets, minerals, tar and smoky oak. Dense and supple, with great sweetness of fruit. Doesn't have quite the sheer power of the '96, but the flavors build and build. Substantial tannins are chewier than those of the '96 but hit the palate later. 1986 was the vintage with the highest level of polyphenols ever recorded at this estate, but '95 was the runner-up, according to Pontallier. Because this big, tannic wine needed longer barrel aging, it was bottled later than normal, in November of '97. (ST) 94+

(05/1998)

Vinous

The 1995 Brane-Cantenac was picked September 18–29 at 46hl/ha. It has long been the high point of what, in retrospect, was a challenging decade for this Margaux estate. The gorgeous, slightly herbal bouquet is very engaging, featuring plenty of red berry fruit mixed with bay leaf and mint. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, a smooth texture and a little earthiness and pepperiness developing on the finish. As I suggested before, it might be approaching the end of its drinking plateau, so feel free to consume. At the moment, it’s an absolute joy. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château. (NM)

(01/2019)

Jancis Robinson

Dark crimson with some evolution at the rim. Very focused and concentrated. Lots of concentrated cassis on the nose. Some graphite. Really cool and fresh (there are apologies for serving it too cool). Middle aged. Far from luscious but very true to type. Still quite bit of tannin in evidence. Work in progress. 17.5/20 points. (JR)

(10/2015)