Château Cantenac Brown is famous not only for its wines, but also for its unusual 19th century neo-Tudor style architecture. At the beginning of the 19th century, the esteemed animal painter of Scottish descent, John Lewis Brown, bought the vineyard. The château was host to the grand parties the owner was renowned for, highlighting his love of good wines. Sold in 1843 to a banker, Mr Gromard, the owner in 1855 when the estate was granted a Grand Cru Classification. Bought by Simon Halabi in 2006, the new owner has given new impetus to the estate with the ambition of raising it to the highest echelons.

The 42 hectares vineyard is divided into several plots a few hundred meters apart, with a terroir consisting of fine gravel and clay-limestone soil.

In the past, Château Cantenac Brown was known for its relative hardness, or austerity, which called for long aging. For about 15 years, the current wine making team now produces more accessible and subtle wines, which have considerably gained in elegance in recent years. With José Sanfins in charge, methods have changed. The vineyard is managed in a more environmentally friendly way. The vines are cared for throughout the year - pruning, removal of buds, leaves and secondary shoots, thinning out - and relatively low yields.

The grapes and hand-picked and screened on site before being transported in trays to stainless steel temperature controlled vats. Between the destemming and crushing procedures, the grapes are once again screened on a vibrating table before being taken into the vathouse. Plots are vinified separately according to grape variety and age, which allow for great precision in selection when Cantenac Brown is finally blended.

In the Bottle

Château Cantenac Brown's wine has become refined and better balanced in recent years. Since 2002, Cantenac Brown has slowly regained its rightful place, producing wines in keeping with its 3rd growth classification.

The new owner seems to have great ambitions for Cantenac-Brown, and future vintages will surely be worth following.

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Cantenac-Brown, BriO de Cantenac-Brown (second wine)