Le Point 17 / 20 byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018 Cerise acidulée, épices, complexe, milieu de bouche bien bâti, tanins moelleux, très onctueux, bois bien intégré, finale sur la trame serrée, tanins très fins, velouté, délicat.
Jeb DUNNUCK 89-92 / 100 byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018 The deep, inky-colored 2017 Château Cantenac Brown is beauty that shines in the vintage. Black and blue fruits, plenty of violets, charcoal and spice, medium body, and ripe tannin all make from a beautiful, charming, balanced Margaux that will drink nicely for 15-20 years.
Vinifera 92-94 / 100 byJacques Perrinthe5/28/2018 Fruité noir mûr et exubérant, tirant sur la réglisse. Longue, fraîche, avec une saveur poivrée, la bouche exprime une véritable race.
Vinous 90-93 / 100 byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018 The 2017 Cantenac Brown is dark, plush, and powerful. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice notes infuse this plush, voluptuous Margaux. There is no shortage of depth or intensity, that much is clear. This is an especially potent style. Technical Director José Sanfins lowered temperatures in fermentation and chose to handle the wines minimally with the goal of avoiding the extraction of hard tannins. Tasted three times.
The Wine Cellar Insider 92-94 / 100 byJeff Levethe5/11/2018 Showing respectable dark color in the glass, the wine opens with vanilla, licorice, smoke, black cherry and the scent of a leafy wet valley. Medium/full bodied, forward, polished, sweet and fruity, the wine is focused on the creamy tannins and subtle mouth feel. You’ll notice sweet cherries throughout and a light splash of cocoa for an easy drinking finish. Already great now, the wine was produced from blending 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. The harvest took place September 14 to October 2.
Vinous 89-91 / 100 byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018 The 2017 Cantenac Brown feels a little disjointed on the nose, not quite as ripe as its peers with moderate fruit intensity. There is just a little greenness that nags away in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, quite grippy tannins. This is a structured and more masculine style of Cantenac Brown, although it manages to deliver plenty of finesse towards the finish and there is commendable length. I would just like a little more charm by the time of bottling. Tasted on three occasions.
Wine Advocate 90-92 / 100 byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018 With a larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon this year, the blend is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cantenac Brown leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, warm plums and black forest cake with touches of violets, dark chocolate, cloves and cigar box plus a waft of lavender. The palate is medium-bodied and firm with fine-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with plenty of black fruit and perfumed layers.
Decanter.com 92 / 100 byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018 The dial is just a little more turned-up here compared to most Margaux this year, but it works. Subtle charred oak notes are evident on the nose, with tight, savoury cassis and bilberry running through the mid-palate without dipping at all. It ends well, with a breadcrumb trail of carefully placed fruits. Nobody is going to call this broad-shouldered or a fruit bomb, but it is successfully expressed and really elegant, with layers of flavour. It's a wine that should be lovely to open in around eight years, so a little earlier than usual, but with good ageing potential. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038
WeinWisser 17 / 20 byRené Gabrielthe4/25/2018 Purpurgranat mit violettem Rand. Dropsiges Bouquet mit Hotunder und Heidelbeergelee, dahin-ter Cassisblüten und rote Pflaumenhaut. Am Gaumen karge Struktur mit ausge-zehrtem Extrakt und spriider Textur. lm trockenen Finale mit Maulbeeren, aufge-rundet! 17/20 2023 — 2037
Wine Enthusiast 89-91 / 100 byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018 This wine has tight black-fruit flavors with some stalky acidity on the palate. It is a bright, fruity style, backed by fine tannins and a fresh black-currant character on the finish. Drink from 2023.
Jamessuckling.com 92-93 / 100 byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018 This is a very pretty cabernet sauvignon with currants, raspberries and blueberries. Bright and vivid. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh and clean finish.
Wine Spectator 89-92 / 100 byJames Molesworththe4/4/2018 A bright savory streak leads off here, offering fresh cassis and bitter plum fruit flavors. A tangy mineral note runs through the finish. A pure and elegant wine that should fill out a bit more with the [i]élevage[n].—J.M.