2025, Château Cantenac Brown, MARGAUX, 3ème Grand Cru Classé3rd growth 1855 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. The 2025 Cantenac Brown is quite the powerhouse. Dark and ample in feel, the 2025 offers gorgeous presence and class to burn. Crme de cassis, new leather, lavender, menthol, liquorice and mocha are some of the many notes that open with a bit of coaxing. There's tremendous substance and stuffing here. The tannins are quite fine, which is especially remarkable

and yet it still offers notable depth and nuance

The heat of the vintage seems quite pronounced

freshly rolled tobacco and smoke billowing from the glass

Half of the grapes were fermented as whole clusters to add complexity and freshness—among my favourites from Savigny this year

The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with crisp tannins and a touch of orange rind interlacing the dark berry fruit on the finish

95-98 Antonio Galloni

Powerful damson colour

94 William Kelley

Still compact and somewhat caged

10% Petit Verdot (none was used for the grand vin) and 2% Cabernet Franc

the latter has more stony soil

touches of cold black tea