2023 “Baron de Brane” (second wine of Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux)
Professional Ratings & Reviews
| Critic |
Score |
| James Suckling |
92–93 pts (barrel sample) |
| Antonio Galloni (Vinous) |
92 pts (in bottle, Mar 2026) |
| Wine Advocate (William Kelley) |
89–91 pts |
| Jeb Dunnuck |
89–91 pts |
| Jeff Leve (Wine Cellar Insider) |
91–92 pts |
| Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Independent) |
87–89 pts |
Consensus average: approximately 91/100.
Tasting Profile
The 2023 Baron de Brane is widely viewed as a particularly successful second wine, offering much of the estate's Margaux elegance at an earlier-drinking level than the grand vin.
Common themes across reviews include:
- Fresh red and black berry fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, redcurrant)
- Floral notes (violet, lavender)
- Mineral and graphite nuances
- Sweet spice, incense, and dried herbs
- Medium-bodied structure with bright acidity
- Refined, integrated tannins and a polished finish
Key Reviewer Comments
James Suckling (92–93 pts) described it as having blackcurrant, blackberry, stone and spice notes with a creamy texture and mineral-driven finish.
Antonio Galloni (92 pts) called it a "striking wine" with floral aromatics, blue and purple fruit, lavender, spice and incense, noting its length, freshness and class.
Jeb Dunnuck (89–91 pts) highlighted cassis, violet aromas, supple texture and ripe tannins, calling it a "rock-solid" second wine.
92-93pts James Suckling
A crunchy sense to this, with stone, blackcurrant and blackberry character. Medium body. Mineral and spice coming through on the palate. Creamy-textured finish. 48% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, 1% carmenere and 1% petit verdot.
92pts Jane Anson
Baron de Brane once again sets the bar high once again in terms of 2nd wines, with fragrant floral aromatics, nuance and depth from the attack and continuing through the mid palate, firm atannins and concentrated black fruits. 20% new oak.
92pts Decanter
Ripe and floral notes on the nose, really quite expressive and open aromatically. There’s a richness to the scents with ripe blackcurrants, cherries and touches of rose and violets too with some milk chocolate. Supple and tart, high acidity, juicy and ripe fruit, with crunchiness, quite lean but there’s great length with freshly picked mint and some cedar and herbal aspects. Crisp and clean, lovely purity and precision. Not so layered or plush but it’s fresh and inviting with lift and a lovely mineral undertone. Accessible. Ageing 12 months, 20% new oak. 14.5 press wine. Almost 100 IPT. 40% of production.
89-91pts Wine Advocate
The 2023 Baron de Brane is lively and generous, offering up aromas of sweet cherries, dark berries and raw cocoa, followed by a medium-bodied, fleshy palate with sweet tannins and lively acids.
89-91pts Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Baron De Brane is a rock-solid second wine offering some cassis and violet-driven aromatics, medium body, a round, supple mouthfeel, and ripe, integrated tannins.
89-91pts Vinous
The 2023 Baron de Brane is well-defined on the nose with black cherries, wild mint and pencil box scents that are nicely focused. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a grippy entry. There's backbone on this Deuxième Vin, quite feisty on the finish with decent length.
- Neal Martin
88-90pts Vinous
The 2023 Baron de Brane offers up dark-fleshed fruit, new leather, tobacco and incense. There's a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon than in most years, and the Merlot was saignéed. All of these elements yield an attractive wine that is still coming together. Today, the Baron is a bit of a bruiser.
- Antonio Galloni
Blend
- 48% Cabernet Sauvignon
- 43% Merlot
- 7% Cabernet Franc
- 1% Carménère
- 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window
Most critics see the wine as approachable relatively early:
- Start drinking: 2025–2027
- Peak window: 2027–2035
- Likely longevity: into the mid-2030s depending on storage.
Overall Assessment
The 2023 Baron de Brane is considered one of the stronger recent releases of this second wine. While it lacks the depth and age-worthiness of the 2023 grand vin Brane-Cantenac (which scored mostly 95–97 points), it delivers classic Margaux perfume, freshness, and polish at a significantly lower price point. For buyers seeking early-drinking Left Bank Bordeaux from a top Margaux estate, the vintage has been very well received by the professional critics.
History
Established in the 18th century, at which time it was known as "Gorce", this large estate is located on the best gravelly outcrops of Cantenac. A century before the 1855 classification, it was considered one of the best second growths in the Médoc. In 1833, Baron de Brane (called "Napoleon of the Vines") sold his estate in Pauillac, Brane-Mouton, and bought Gorce, which he renamed "Brane-Cantenac", ten years later.
Lucien Lurton's grandfather acquired the estate in 1925, and was succeeded by his grandson in 1956. Lucien Lurton's son, Henri, currently manages the estate and puts all his efforts into producing a great Margaux in each and every vintage, reflecting Brane-Cantenac's superb vineyard soil.
