Château Cantenac Brown 2016

Seductive aromas of berries and pastry; full-bodied attack, dense structure, juicy tannins, compact, refreshing, with good length: thoroughly successful.

A wine of delicate elegance, having opened up a bit since last experienced in April 2022. Impressive persistence of fruit on the palate, more red than black, again with somewhat high‑toned acidity. While it lacks the breadth of vintages like 2018 and 2020, it makes up for it with beguiling wet‑stone “minimalism” and tannic finesse that invite further drinking, marked by floral notes on the long finish.

This has a very delicious and attractive nose offering ample dark berries and plums with cocoa and freshly cut bracken. The palate has a smooth, fan-like array of fine but sturdy tannins that carry very fresh and upbeat into the finish. Try from 2023.

Deep crimson. Both ripe and dusty at the same time. Super-ripe black fruit, rounded tannins, but a bit flat on the chewy finish. (JH)

The 2016 Cantenac Brown is a super-concentrated, powerful Margaux. Raspberry jam, mocha, licorice, plum, new oak and spice are all lavishly expressed. Broad and sweeping on the palate, with tremendous richness and resonance, Cantenac Brown is among the bigger, more overt Margaux wines of the vintage. Readers should expect a big, ripe wine. In several tastings, the 2016 has come across as a bit over the top, at least for my personal taste. Technical Director Jose Sanfins aged the 2016 for 16 months in oak, 60% new.

Flowers, truffle, espresso, tobacco and dark red fruits are everywhere. Concentrated, full-bodied, lush, round, with layers of fruit and energy, the wine is deep, packed with juice and vivacious. The blend was made from 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot.

Deep, dark ruby with an opaque core, brightening at the rim. An attractive black forest-fruit profile, with fine oak spice, balsamic touches, and candied orange zest. It is complex, with juicy cherries and integrated tannins. Elegant and fruity, freshly structured, and long lasting. Certain ageing potential.

Purplish garnet. Red cherries and light tobacco, with cassis in the background. On the powerful palate, a tightly knit tannic framework; it lacks a bit of flesh, a very sinewy body. Whether barrel ageing can compensate for this is questionable!

Kunz barrel sample 17: floral, silky bouquet, red and blue berries, wood, smoke. A firm, medium-bodied palate with sandy tannins, medium fruit, good aromatics, and a bitter finish. Has room to improve.

Colorful, rich, still a bit stern, to revisit in a year.

2016 is clearly more structured and tight, with a very fine energy.

Fresh red fruits, cherry, Morello cherry. Fresh juice, ample, elegant, good structure, rounded tannins, long and straight finish. Lovely wine.

The groundwork was well laid by the second wine, which thus paved the way nicely. The grand vin shows great composure, freshness, and excellent fruit intensity. The tannins are tight and aligned with the tangy edge. This brings freshness and approachability while ensuring structure and lingering aromatics. An exceptional wine.

Dark, intense and beautiful color. An intense, refined nose with pure, deep fruit. Precise on the attack, then rich mid-palate, very fruity, full and flavorful, the wine unfolds complete and noble toward a long, sappy, fresh finish. It’s superb. Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot. It’s the best ever made.

Quite dark in profile, with steeped boysenberry, raspberry and blackberry compote flavors forming a core that is coiled up with bramble, singed mesquite and anise notes. Lots of juicy energy through the finish, with a mouthwatering streak of graphite. Rock-solid. Best from 2023 through 2037. 9,333 cases made.

Floral, silky bouquet, red and blue berries, wood, smoke. Firm, medium-bodied palate with sandy tannins, medium fruit, good aromatics, bitter finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2022 - 2032

Richly structured, this dense wine has solid tannins that balance with the black fruits. It is a complex wine, poised and confident while not losing sight of the Margaux elegance. Drink from 2025.