8/6/2019 Affluent Page Features: Bordeaux Enchantment

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/affluent-page-features-bordeaux-enchantment 1/3AFFLUENT PAGE | MARCH 2011

Indulge

Bordeaux 

Enchantment

In the 2,000 year history o 

the wine world, Classiied Growth

Bordeaux still retains its magic, value and

allure. Created in 1735, Margaux-based Château

Brane-Cantenac caught the roving eye o the “Donald Trump”

o the Bordeaux wine world in 1833: Baron Hector de Brane. By

all accounts Brane was quite the socialite, and despite his vibrant

personality, he had a deep scientifc educational background and

was largely responsible in identiying Cabernet Sauvignon as the

Médoc’s ‘premier grape.’ By the time o the 1855 classifcation,Brane-Cantenac achieved the loty second Growth classifcation.

Today the château is under the direction o the charming Henri

Lurton, whose amily bought the estate in 1925. Unlike many

château owners who live in Paris and hire a vineyard manager to

look ater their property, Henri Lurton lives near his vines and

can be seen in the vineyard almost daily, examining the grounds

or overseeing trellising work. Near harvest, he tastes the grapes or 

ripeness in addition to sending the results or laboratory analysis.

Recently, he invested in an optical sorter in addition to handpicking,

which ensures that only the ripest grapes make the frst wine.

Why this dedication? Perhaps it’s due to the act that as eldest

son, Henri received Brane-Cantenac, the amily’s most prestigious

estate, while the other nine siblings were bequeathed lesser estates.

The 1952 Margaux-based Brane-Cantenac

has enjoyed heated bidding in the

international auction market, with

an estimated $900 retail value as

a Second growth estate vintage.

By Marisa D’Vari

“Henri Lurton lives near his vinesand can be seen in the vineyard

almost daily, examining thegrounds or overseeing

trellising work.”

8/6/2019 Affluent Page Features: Bordeaux Enchantment

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/affluent-page-features-bordeaux-enchantment 2/3APRIL 2011 |  AFFLUENT PAG

8/6/2019 Affluent Page Features: Bordeaux Enchantment

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/affluent-page-features-bordeaux-enchantment 3/3

Indulge

AFFLUENT PAGE | APRIL 2011

Or that in the winery, the year “1925” (the year o the amily’s

acquisition) is carved into the wall, reminding Henri daily about

his grandather’s dedication to the brand. Either way, the highly

credentialed owner holds oenology degrees rom many

institutions, including the University o Bordeaux, and as a young man worked in South Ar ica, Australia and Chile to

perect his skills and learn the newest technology in the industry.

Brane-Cantenac is one o the frst Classifed Growth estates to

make this expensive investment o the optical sorter, signiying its

continued desire to move toward the modern age and create the

fnest wines on the market.

Vintage variation is so crucial in Bordeaux there can be a

several hundred dollar dierence rom one vintage to the next.

The 1952 vintage sells or nearly $900 on the international online

market — a very rare occurrence due to an excellent vintage. On

the nose, the wine is resh and lively, with concentrated black ruit

on the palate and the kind o acidity and balance with frm

tannins, which is responsible or its incredible longevity.

Many people assume that the older the wine, the better. While

this is usually true or Classifed Growth Bordeaux, Burgundy and

Barolo, at some point (typically 15 to 20 years) the wines plateauand then slowly all apart. The reshness o Brane-Cantenac’s 1952

is a testament to the vintage and the skill o the Lurtons

as winemakers.

French tradition dictates that the most expensive and rare wines

are served at the end o the meal, and usually with cheese. And

in the case o the 1952, this is an appropriate choice as the wine

still has incredible acidity and concentrated depth o ruit, yet the

tannin is soter, and not as appropriate or steak as it would have

been in its prime.

Brane-Cantenac,+33.557.888.333, www.brane-cantenac.com

“The freshness of Brane-Cantenac’s1952 is a testament to the vintageand the skill of the Lurtons as

 winemakers.”