Le Baron de Brane Margaux 2014

This refined and appetising claret is the second wine of Henri Lurton's rising star Brane Cantenac. Delightfully fresh and vibrant Margaux fruit character on the palate leads to a long elegant finish.

The Baron de Brane 2014 is a blend of 65.4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and a pinch of Carmenère. It has a light, slightly dusty and tertiary bouquet that is defined, and, like the Grand Vin, perhaps a little old fashioned in style. There is nothing wrong with that. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin, light tobacco-infused red berry fruit with an austere finish. Drink over the next 4 to 5 years. - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

The 2014 Baron de Brane displays scents of brambly red berry fruit, mocha and hints of espresso on the well-defined nose. The medium-bodied palate offers fine tannin and a straightforward, tobacco-tinged and lightly spiced finish. The most elegant Baron de Brane in recent years. Fine. Tasted at the Brane-Cantenac vertical at the château. - Neal Martin, Vinous 

A late harvest which favoured Cabernet Sauvignon, which is why so much of it went into the grand vin. So this second wine has a higher proportion of Merlot, and a tiny amount of Carmenère (0.5%) which was starting to reach maturity in the vineyard at this point. It's still extremely young at almost four years old and needs another few years to fully soften out, but it's proof of the quality at Brane right now. - Jane Anson, Decanter