2014 Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux, Second Growth (WE 95 Points)

Adding back-vintage top-growth Bordeaux to your collection can be a challenge, especially when staying within budget. Most strategic purchases through auctions and reseller sites push you above $100, while securing a blue-chip bottle from an excellent vintage can easily exceed $500. That's what makes today’s VIP offering such a savvy move. A Second to Fifth Growth from Margaux—like Giscours, Cantenac-Brown, or the spotlight of the day, Brane-Cantenac—offers tremendous value, particularly from the underappreciated 2014 vintage. Brane-Cantenac benefits from a unique geological formation with a mix of gravel and clay, ensuring optimal water retention and drainage. A significant portion of the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon vines are over 60 years old, providing the backbone of its Grand Vin. This wine is all about the delicate balance of elegance and power. Any top-growth Margaux stands out for its silky texture, which evolves beautifully with bottle age, and this one delivers that in spades