Cantenac-Brown Margaux 2008

93 points (16.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "Drastic selection has produced a 2008 of great intensity, with notes of spice linked to perfect ripeness of fruit. (2013)"

92 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. There is always one wine that under blind conditions, makes you regret ones pithy, disparaging scores mercilessly dished out in the past. This year, it is the turn of Château Cantenac Brown. Here, it has a very refined bouquet with macerated dark cherries, vanilla and violets that is very pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tensile tannins, very focused with an almost understated finish with silky mouthfeel. Very well crafted and I hope to verify this note in the future. Tasted January 2012."

92 points/'Editors' Choice,' Wine Enthusiast: "This château is progressing well in raising its quality as this big, chunky wine shows. The fruit has a solid texture, with great black swirls of dark berry and smoky flavors in a tannic cloak. (Apr 2011)"

91 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Deeply spiced damsons come through on the attack alongside touches of blue cheese that suggest this is just heading into the next phase of its evolution. It's still young with black fruits dominating, but you can see the tertiary black truffle, earth, leather and undergrowth notes starting to show through. This is a delicious Margaux but I would say a medium rather than long-term keeper (so in Margaux terms think 10 to 15 years more rather than upwards of 30). 33% of production in 1st wine, 60% new oak. Harvest October 1 to 19. Drinking Window: 2020-2035. (4/7/20)"

90 points Robert Parker: "A beautiful effort, the medium to full-bodied 2008 demonstrates the resurgence in quality being enjoyed by this long-time Margaux underachiever. Perfumed aromas of licorice, spring flowers, black currants and subtle oak are followed by a soft, round, opulent, sexy, generous, savory wine revealing no hard edges. Enjoy this pure, seductive 2008 over the next 12-15 years. (May 2011)"