Brane Cantenac is a 2nd growth wine from the Margaux region (pronounced “Bran Can ten knack”)
The estate became a winery in the early 17th century under the name Domaine Guilhem Hosten. The Baron of Brane purchased the estate in 1833 (which at that time had changed its name and was known as Chateau Gorce Guy). In order to fund the purchase, he sold his interest in Brane Mouton (which is now the vineyards of Mouton Rothschild). The Baron renamed the winery Brane Cantenac in 1838. Cantenac is the region or sector where the vineyard/estate is situated.
Then there was a series of ownership changes. It was owned by the Roy family, who then, in 1922, sold it to the Societe de Grand Crus de France, who then sold it in 1922 to M. Racapet and his son in law, Lucien Lurton. Francois Lurton inherited the winery in 1956 and it has been in the Lurton family’s possession for 4 generations. The winery is now managed by Henri Lurton.
The winery consist of 75 hectares of which 45 hectares is used to produce the first wine. The winery also produces a 2nd and 3rd wine, which have more Merlot content as well as a white wine. The vineyard is planted with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Carmenere. Carmenere was first used in their 2011 vintage and Petit Verdot was first used in their 2017 vintage.
Henri Lurton has spearheaded a number of changes at the winery. Among them: the winery is moving towards more organic farming techniques, in 1999, the added smaller vats so that vinification could be done parcel by parcel and in 2015, they completed the renovation of their cellars and vat rooms
The wine is vinefied in oak vats, stainless steel vats and concrete tanks. 40% of fermentation takes place in oak vats with the remainder in stainless steel and concrete. The wine ages in 60% new oak barrels (French) for 17 months with the initial 2 months done on lees, to add depth to the wine.
About 11, 000 cases of this wine is produced. I do not see a definitive Wine Spectator rating for this wine but their barrel sample rating was 88-91 pts. Robert Parker gave is 92 pts. Price of the wine at BC Liquor stores is $150.00
The 2017 vintage marked the first time they used Petit Verdot in their blend. It was a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. About 60% of the entire harvest was used to produce this wine and used a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon because of frost issues for the vintage.
For more information about the winery, please see their website at