Chateau Cantenac Brown Margaux 1999 750ml

The 1999 Cantenac Brown is more closed on the nose with darker fruit than the Grand Puy-Lacoste, that Sanfins serves blind alongside, earthier aromas, sous-bois and fern. The palate is medium-bodied with very pliant tannins that provide a firm backbone. There is a fine bead of acidity, fresh and silky smooth with a cohesive, fleshy finish that demonstrates impressive clarity and persistence. A big surprise when this was revealed – perhaps better than the 2000 – this comes highly recommended. Tasted blind at the Cantenac Brown vertical at the château.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Margaux
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red
• Alcohol by Vol: 13.0%

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.