2008  

What a wonderful story...and here is a chance to own a bit of Bordeaux history. Allary is a tiny 1.3ha plot in the heart of the Haut Brion vineyard. The wine is stunning. Made from 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The property had been owned by the Allary family since 1919. From 1954 until 1978, it was bottled under the name La Passion Haut-Brion, but new French laws forbade making two château wines in the same cellar, unless owned by the same people, so from 1979 to 2007, Haut-Brion blended the wine into their second wine, Bahans Haut-Brion. The Allary family regained control of their plots in 2006 and this, the 2008 bottling was their first commercial vintage, with Stephane Derenoncourt as consultant. The vineyard was sold to Domaine Clarence Dillon in 2012.

2006  Merlot/Cabernet Franc

"The 2006 exhibits beautiful notes of chocolate, mocha, espresso roast, black cherries, and black currants. Deep and rich, with none of the tough tannins that can be found in 2006 Bordeaux varietals, its finish is deep, lush, and opulent." - WA

1999  2nd Growth, OWC

"A deep garnet red with purple hues . An intensely aromatic nose with dominant red fruits (red cherry, plum) and hints of wood , roasted coffee and vanilla. A great aromatic complexity with spicy notes. When swirling the glass, perfect ripeness comes through.maturity is being revealed. A fullwide attack then silky sensations with soft tannins. A very dense, full-bodied structure with a finish packed full of fruit. A particularly long finish, leaving a very lasting, distinct ‘physical’ impression in the mouth. This wine is remarkable. It bears witness to the greatness of Margaux wines in 1999. One of the greatest successes of Chateau Brane-Cantenac." - Ch. Brane-Cantenac

1966  2nd Growth, 1 upper shoulder, 1 mid shoulder, slightly depressed corks

Belonging to the Lurton family since 1925, Château Brane-Cantenac owes its fame to an exceptional gravelly soil dating back to the quaternary era.

1999  

"There are 450 cases of this blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 1999 Cariad has aged beautifully, revealing abundant notes of cedar wood, sweet blueberry and black currant fruit and camphor. Powerful and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannins, it appears to be close to full maturity. However, aging it another 12-15 years will be no problem. The wine is better than I initially rated it (91 points) and exhibits greater longevity. Drink this beauty now and over the next 12-15 years." - 94pts WA

2000  

2000  

2001  

1990  Engraved Magnum

1991  Engraved Magnum

2002