2018 BWE WINE OF THE YEAR: 2015 CHATEAU BRANE CANTENAC

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:24 pm

To me, this was one of the easier selections in the august nineteen year history of BWE. 2015, the most recently bottled Bordeaux vintage to hit the shelves, experienced a Margaux vintage of epic proportions. Wines from that area, from top to bottom, excelled. Many, at least in my experience, were "big" wines. Great richness. Giscours and the stunning QPR Siran come immediately to mind. Big and rich, but nothing over the top. Just beautifully ripe wines, demonstrating the best that the appellation has to offer. It was a vintage that, sadly, saw the loss of Paul Pontallier.

The 2015 Siran was a real revelation. Priced in the $30 range, this is one of the best QPRs we have ever seen on BWE. It was the wine that gave the winner a real run for its money.

The 2015 Brane Cantenac is a stunning, stunning wine. Just an absolutely complete effort. A tremendous combination of power and elegance. Indeed, noticeably more balanced than the outstanding Giscours, Siran, and nearby Cantemerle. My notes at the time upon uncorking the wine:

Wow! Stunning. Best wine I have tasted so far from 2015. Now this is what I am talking about. More balanced than the Leoville Barton. Just more of everything overall than the Giscours. I'm not going to go into the whole modernization debate. This wine has great balance, Margaux character, very, very deep Margaux color. 13.5%, which seems low given the vintage and everything else. And what a bouquet... cedar, flowers... This wine is big like all 2015s but its power is reined in. Will age for 50 years but will evolve beautifully and will have much to offer as each decade passes. Stunning purple/black color. Violets. It has everything. Very earthy. A stunner. Much better than the Leoville Barton. 97 points.

Chateau Vin followed up on the enthusiasm, calling it his wine of the day at the UGC. Jeff Leve calls it the greatest Brane Cantenac ever. No need to question whether it is modernized. To the extent that it has achieved new levels of greatness, it is a demonstration of great winemaking matched with the raw materials of the appellation, combined with whatever was going on weatherwise in that microclimate in 2015. The result is a breathtaking wine. In the end, it is an ultimate Margaux. And it is a property that has been producing great wine for a long time, especially in the past twenty years. The 2015 has been coming in at a rational price in the $70 range.

Thank you again to everyone for your recommendations, in particular Blanquito for turning me on to that amazing 2015 Siran. I actually considered picking it as a co-winner. And the 2014 northern Medoc certainly deserved additional attention as well.

But in the end it is the 2015 Chateau Brane Cantenac that joins the pantheon of other great BWE wines of the year in this now (incredibly) our nineteenth year:

2000: 1996 Sociando-Mallet
2001: 1989 Lynch-Bages
2002: 1995 d'Yquem
2003: 1999 Haut Brion Blanc
2004: 2000 Pichon Baron and 2000 du Tertre
2005: 2000 Margaux
2006: 2003 Pontet-Canet
2007: 2002 Leoville Poyferre
2008: 2005 Burgundy vintage (protest vote)
2009: 1989 Lafite Rothschild
2010: 2005 Cantemerle
2011: 2008 Leoville Poyferre
2012: 2009 Giscours
2013: 2004 Smith Haut Lafitte
2014: 2010 Chasse Spleen
2015: 2012 Leoville Las Cases
2016: 2012 Barde-Haut
2017: 2014 Calon Segur
2018: 2015 Brane Cantenac

Much thanks again to everyone who has participated in 2018 on Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts, the greatest wine internet website in the world.

Happy New Year to all BWEers around the globe!

And congratulations to the winemakers at Chateau Brane Cantenac... the 2018 BWE Wine of the Year!

So it is written. So it shall be done.

Jim How
Benevolent Dictator
Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts
December 27, 2018

Chateau Vin · Post by **Chateau Vin** » Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:39 pm

YEAH!!!

I was hoping that 2015 BC will get the honor, otherwise I was ready to take my marbles and go home...

Worthy Choice by BD. Benevolent he is indeed.....

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:01 am

A worthy choice indeed.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:42 am

Well done!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:17 am

Everyone should have at least one bottle of this in their cellar.
It will drink well in ten years, it will drink well in fifty years.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:48 am

I would like to congratulate our Dear Leader on a decision of the utmost sagacity - and, if I may be so bold, serendipity - reflecting the ‘will of the people’.

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:46 am

Well done J-money...Will look out for it...The '14 B.C. is $44 here....is the '15 that much better?

Chateau Vin · Post by **Chateau Vin** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 3:27 am

robert goulet wrote:Well done J-money...Will look out for it...The '14 B.C. is $44 here....is the '15 that much better?

BD has spoken...He has bestowed 97 points upon the claret, which I do not recall him doing so in my recent memory...

IMHO, '15 easily is 25 greens better than the '14...

OrlandoRobert · Post by **OrlandoRobert** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 12:23 pm

robert goulet wrote:Well done J-money...Will look out for it...The '14 B.C. is $44 here....is the '15 that much better?

When presented with a decision of such profundity, the answer is always: Both.

FWIW, I bought the 2014. I drew the line at buying any 2015s at my old age of 53, liking my Bordeaux with some wisdom on them, until Doc Glasser's constant ravings about Siran got me to grab a few.

Hmm, I really do need to grab some 2015 Sociando, now that I think about it . . . .

PS. The 2014 Calon Segur is an OUTSTANDING choice for the prior year. Between it, Domaine de Chevalier and Lalande, you have a tough choice for left bank best of class outside of First Growth. Sociando 2014 is the QPR of the year of the 2014 vintage. I bought 1.5 cases. Not sure that is enough. Lanessan is a close runner-up for QPR.

Gonna go grab that 2015 Siran to see what all the raving is about it!

Cheers all.

Robert

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:22 pm

Reading thru some notes it appears the margaux appellation crushed it in '15 and apparently fairly open for consumption.

Racer Chris · Post by **Racer Chris** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 1:47 pm

robert goulet wrote:Reading thru some notes it appears the margaux appellation crushed it in '15 and apparently fairly open for consumption.

You're late to the party.

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:36 pm

Racer Chris wrote:
robert goulet wrote:Reading thru some notes it appears the margaux appellation crushed it in '15 and apparently fairly open for consumption.
You're late to the party.

Always sir!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:48 pm

Yeah, Margaux is solid in 15 and the vintage is accessible early. So indulge!

Robert, I've got a decade on you but the enablers here (especially Stefan (he's an inspiration for those of us with more "wisdom") got me to put down ~2 cases of 2016s. They'll develop more slowly than the 15s and I figure to be in my 80s by the time they hit my drinking window in 20 years. An optimistic vote for longevity!

jckba · Post by **jckba** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:49 pm

robert goulet wrote:
Racer Chris wrote:
robert goulet wrote:Reading thru some notes it appears the margaux appellation crushed it in '15 and apparently fairly open for consumption.
You're late to the party.
Always sir!

I'll also chime in and say that its better to arrive late than not at all

And the 2015 Brane-Cantenac is a indeed a fine choice and one that represents great value at its current price levels.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 3:37 pm

jckba wrote:And the 2015 Brane-Cantenac is a indeed a fine choice and one that represents great value at its current price levels.

If you’re in NY, NJ, IL or CA. In the swamps of DC and FL it’s more like $90-100.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 4:04 pm

I would take Illinois off that list. That "great" wine shop Binnys has the 2015 at $95.

Chateau Vin · Post by **Chateau Vin** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 5:23 pm

JCNorthway wrote:I would take Illinois off that list. That "great" wine shop Binnys has the 2015 at $95.

It ain’t Sam’s anymore...

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 5:42 pm

Very good choice Jim. The 2015 Chateau Brane Cantenac will make happy Bordeaux fans for the coming 25 years.

And I'm happy that I can still guess correctly what you will choose. "I would bet on 2015 Chateau Brane-Cantenac. I just re-read the text and rating of Jim, and having taste the wine myself, it is a no brainer. Just a utter performance from that estate in 2015."

Nic

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:42 pm

I haven't tasted the 2018 WOTY, but I look forward to doing so in 2038 either on Lake Mercer or in That Great Tasting Room in the Sky.

William P · Post by **William P** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 7:09 pm

A worthy wine for the honor. As noted by many, most Margaux were splendid in 2015 and as David mentioned, a very accessible vintage, which is an important factor for me. I have a few in the cellar for consumption later in life.

Bill

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 7:58 pm

I'm hoping to pick some up on sale in NH tomorrow for $70.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:27 pm

That would be worthy of a few "Well done, indeeds!"

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:31 pm

I see this in buffalo for $64.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:50 pm

I’d probably see that too if I re-upped my WS Pro subscription. That would be verrry, verrry dangerous. And I’d get this from Peggy:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VN29X2HCKpU

AKR · Post by **AKR** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:54 pm

It seems like its hard to go wrong picking any 2015 Margaux AOC.

I look forward to trying this wine after it has settled down.

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 9:16 pm

OrlandoRobert wrote:
robert goulet wrote:Well done J-money...Will look out for it...The '14 B.C. is $44 here....is the '15 that much better?
When presented with a decision of such profundity, the answer is always: Both.

FWIW, I bought the 2014. I drew the line at buying any 2015s at my old age of 53, liking my Bordeaux with some wisdom on them, until Doc Glasser's constant ravings about Siran got me to grab a few.

Hmm, I really do need to grab some 2015 Sociando, now that I think about it . . . .

PS. The 2014 Calon Segur is an OUTSTANDING choice for the prior year. Between it, Domaine de Chevalier and Lalande, you have a tough choice for left bank best of class outside of First Growth. Sociando 2014 is the QPR of the year of the 2014 vintage. I bought 1.5 cases. Not sure that is enough. Lanessan is a close runner-up for QPR.

Gonna go grab that 2015 Siran to see what all the raving is about it!

Cheers all.

Robert

if you're the Robert from Orlando I'm thinking of from Wineberserkers you might think twice before going deep on 2015 Siran...I like it but it's a pretty rich/fleshy wine and Hubert de Bouard consulted on it, just sayin'...

If you're not that Robert than ignore and dive into 2015 Siran with both feet!

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 9:48 pm

Same OrlandoBobby. Try a 2015 Siran, Mr. Alfert, and let us know if it runs afoul of your AFWE sensibilities— I tried it earlier this year, and while definitley ripe and fairly large scaled, I loved it. The $28 price tag helped. But I didn’t know that Bouard had consulted on that vintage until after I tried it.

robert goulet · Post by **robert goulet** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 9:56 pm

Bobby will choke!! His palate will hit defcon1, shrivel up and die.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Dec 28, 2018 11:29 pm

It might be too fruity* for him but he needs to stretch that palate before it locks into one position. I told him I'd make it risk free and trade him Picasses for the Siran if it offends his Orlandoness.

*Fruit isn't necessarily a defect (stolen from someone's WB sig)

OrlandoRobert · Post by **OrlandoRobert** » Sat Dec 29, 2018 11:40 am

Blanquito wrote:Same OrlandoBobby. Try a 2015 Siran, Mr. Alfert, and let us know if it runs afoul of your AFWE sensibilities— I tried it earlier this year, and while definitley ripe and fairly large scaled, I loved it. The $28 price tag helped. But I didn’t know that Bouard had consulted on that vintage until after I tried it.

LOL, yes, same Poser!

Bouard also started with Lanessan at the same time: Try 2014 and 2015 side-by-side.

I cannot recall whether I knew he started with Siran for the 2015 vintage, but that's ok, at $30 and Glasser's ravings, it's worth a shot. I just went to a family Xmas party and brought a full mixed case of various wines that had too much fruit for my snowflake delicate palate. Those wines were consumed with aplomb by the unwashed masses. The Siran can always go into that dump bucket, thus serving a wonderful purpose. But, I promise to go into it with a reasonably, but perhaps slightly tainted, jaded mind.

Jim's new note on the wine has an interesting juxstaposition of stylistic references, from rustic to modern, so perhaps it's a straddler. I agree with his Trumpian musings, however.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 29, 2018 1:39 pm

I thought about that juxtaposition as I was writing it OR.
The Siran is Cantemerlian.

AKR · Post by **AKR** » Sun Dec 30, 2018 1:29 am

That word you keep using with a 'j'. It's a total MFA word.

JeanFred · Post by **JeanFred** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:55 pm

AKR wrote:It seems like its hard to go wrong picking any 2015 Margaux AOC.

That’s it!

At the UGC tasting, all the Margaux were Fabulous, amazingly young, accesible and greedy.

I had the Giscours 2015 a week ago and again I was surprise how can I have so much pleasure to drink a youth Bordeaux

Brane Catenec - WOTY -Excellent choice by the way

Margaux 2015 - AOTY - Appellation Of The Year

JeanFred

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Jan 02, 2019 5:10 pm

Half of my 2015 Bordeaux were from Margaux.
Rauzan Segla
Giscours
Siran

Need to pick up a couple Brane Cantenac per Jim's edict but not locally at $95. If anyone attending BWE 2019 has access to them at $75 or less and doesn’t mind schlepping 2 bottles to Denver let me know.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Jan 03, 2019 2:54 am

Assuming it’s a real deal and they ship to CO (looks like they do), I can snag a case at $68 per including shipping at that place in Buffalo to split up with folks at the Convention. I’ll take 3-4. Can we get to 12?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:20 pm

I’ll go for as many as 4 if that’ll push you over the edge.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 12:15 am

That’s getting us there David. If we get folks to claim another 4, it’s on

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 1:48 am

I'll take the last four, Patrick.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 3:47 am

I’ll get on that, gents...

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:27 pm

Well done. Very well done indeed.