BriO de Cantenac Brown 2012

BriO de Cantenac Brown is a unique second wine in the sense that it has its own, distinctive identity.  The purpose of this wine from the legendary Third Growth, Château Cantenac Brown, is more for sharing and enjoying casually with friends instead of being relegated to refining the grand vin.  BriO de Cantenac Brown is delicate, fresh, and has plenty of charm thanks to the viticultural talents of José Sanfins. 

Château Cantenac Brown’s story begins with the well-known Scottish animal painter, John Lewis Brown, who purchased the estate in the 19th Century.  He decided to change the architecture of the property to a Tudor Mansion, and thus the iconic red brick façade was built.  The property changed hands several times both before and after it was ranked as a Third Growth Estate in 1855.  This could have been due to a variety of reasons, including the fact that Château Boyd Cantenac was situated in a part of Cantenac that has produced traditionally hard, tannic wines.  It was owned by Remy Martin, AXA – the owners of Château Pichon Baron, and the Halabi family.  In 2019, the estate was acquired by the Le Lous family, who own the property today. They are incredibly passionate about Château Canteanc Brown, and they believe they can take the estate to new heights in terms of quality. 

Tristian Le Lous hails from Burgundy and was introduced to the wines of Bordeaux by his future wife.  He fell in love with both the woman and the wines and began an intensive renovation process after purchasing Château Cantenac Brown.   His latest and most impressive project consists of building an earthen cellar below the estate.  The purpose of this new cellar is to further connect Château Cantenac Brown to the land and create a one-of-a-kind cellar that produces wines of the highest quality.  The cellar is projected to guarantee thermal inertia with the perfect humidity thanks to its walls.  The project was designed by Philippe Madec, a pioneer in eco-construction.  When it is finished, the winery will be a gravity flow winery, preserving the essence of the grapes.

The 62.5-hectare vineyard has plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon,  Merlot, and plantings of Cabernet Franc.  A small amount of white wine is produced here, and one can find plantings of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon on the property. Though the terroir here is a bit more challenging, with limestone and sand, it is very apparent that those involved in the viticultural processes are able to craft wines that transcend any of nature’s limitations. BriO de Cantenac Brown enjoys the same diligent care as the grand vin but the vines are grown on a distinctly different plot.  The varietals chosen for the blend are vinified and grown entirely different because the team at Château Cantenac Brown wanted to create a wine that stands uniquely on its own.  BriO de Cantenac Brown is the perfect blend of concentration and finesse.  With the layers that are typical of a great Margaux, BriO is a hidden gem.