Cantenac Brown

History of Château Cantenac Brown

The history of Château Cantenac Brown began in the early 19th century with Scotsman John-Lewis Brown, a visionary nature lover and fine wine enthusiast. In 1806, he acquired land in Cantenac and built a spectacular château inspired by Tudor architecture, a unique style in the Bordeaux region. Passionate about art and nature, Brown, a member of the Scottish Colstoun clan, cultivated a spirit of community and family that endures at the estate. His motto "floreat majestas" ("Let the flower flourish") reflects a deep respect for nature and the long-term vision he applied to viticulture.

His grandson, a famous naturalist painter, grew up in this unique setting and transformed it into an artistic haven where painters such as Degas, Manet, Pissarro and Toulouse-Lautrec came to seek inspiration. Although Brown had to sell the estate in 1843 to a banker, it was in 1855 that the Château achieved recognition by becoming a Third Grand Cru Classé, an acknowledgement of the quality of the terroir and the work carried out.

Today, it is the French Le Lous family, with Tristan Le Lous at the helm, who continues this legacy. An agricultural engineer and wine enthusiast, Tristan Le Lous works hand in hand with José Sanfins, technical director for many years. Together, they have initiated a new phase in the estate's history with ambitious projects, such as the construction of an eco-responsible winery, a true architectural feat.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Cantenac Brown

The Château Cantenac Brown vineyard covers 75 hectares of the left bank, spread across the prestigious plateaux of Cantenac and Margaux. This diversity of terroirs allows for great richness in the blends and offers the wines consistency and depth, year after year.

The estate's soils are composed of gravel, typical of the Médoc region, which promotes excellent drainage, essential for cultivating noble grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The climate, tempered by the proximity of the Gironde estuary, contributes to the slow maturation of the grapes, thus ensuring optimal quality harvests.

The vineyard is cultivated with deep respect for the environment, an approach encouraged by sustainable practices and integrated pest management methods. The fertilisers used are of plant origin, and eco-grazing is implemented to maintain certain parts of the estate, thus creating a true ecosystem in symbiosis with local fauna and flora. Cantenac Brown is also home to a wooded garden, planted with several rare species such as bicentennial sequoias and Atlas cedars, testifying to the strong link between the estate and nature.

Winemaking at Château Cantenac Brown

At Château Cantenac Brown, winemaking is an art, a delicate balance between tradition and modernity. The process begins with meticulous harvesting, plot by plot, to pick each grape at perfect maturity.

The grapes are then transferred to stainless steel vats, ranging in capacity from 50 to 120 hectolitres, allowing precise vinification for each plot. After fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels (60% new barrels) for 12 to 15 months, depending on the vintage. This care taken in the selection of barrels and the duration of ageing gives Château Cantenac Brown wines remarkable finesse and structure, while respecting the ageing potential inherent in this Grand Cru.

The estate is also committed to a sustainable approach with the construction, in 2023, of a new winery entirely made of raw earth and untreated wood. This innovation, based on traditional techniques such as rammed earth, guarantees natural thermal insulation, essential for ageing wines in optimal conditions while reducing environmental impact.

The Cuvées of Château Cantenac Brown

Château Cantenac Brown

The estate's flagship cuvée, Château Cantenac Brown, is the ultimate expression of the Margaux terroir. This radiant, fleshy and velvety wine is marked by the freshness of its fruit and impressive density. Its fine tannins give it exceptional ageing potential. Over the years, the aromas of red and black fruits evolve towards more spicy notes, offering in the mouth a tension and opulence that make it one of the most sought-after wines for ageing in the region. Vintages at their peak reveal a unique aromatic complexity, with an elegant and persistent finish.

BriO de Cantenac Brown

The estate's second wine, BriO de Cantenac Brown, is a more accessible wine, both charming and delicate. Ideal for moments of sharing, it is ready to be enjoyed young, while offering good ageing potential. With its aromas of raspberries and red fruits, it seduces with its freshness and gourmandise. BriO is the perfect choice for lovers of fruity wines who want to discover the finesse of Margaux without waiting for decades.

AltO de Cantenac Brown

AltO is Château Cantenac Brown's white wine, produced in small quantities. It is distinguished by its minerality and vibrant aromas of white fruits, such as pear and peach, with a subtle hint of flint. Smooth and refreshing, AltO is an elegant wine, ideal for accompanying seafood or fish dishes. This wine demonstrates the diversity of the estate and its ability to excel in both red and white wines.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious wines, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years are 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. Recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, symbolising Bordeaux excellence.

We invite you to discover the various Third Growth Classified Châteaux, true treasures of the Bordeaux region. Set out to encounter the great terroirs of Margaux with the prestigious Château Boyd-Cantenac, Château Cantenac Brown, Château Desmirail, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château d'Issan, Château Kirwan, Château Malescot Saint Exupéry, Château Marquis d'Alesme and Château Palmer. Continue your journey with the wines of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe, Château Lagrange and Château Langoa Barton in Saint-Julien, not forgetting the finesse of Château La Lagune in the Haut-Médoc. Each estate promises you an unforgettable experience, reflecting the art of Médoc wines.

Château Cantenac Brown is much more than just a wine estate; it is the embodiment of a rich history, know-how passed down from generation to generation, and a passion for the Margaux terroir. Today, under the direction of the Le Lous family, the estate continues its quest for excellence with a deep respect for nature and a desire to modernise its infrastructure, without ever denying its roots.

The wines of Château Cantenac Brown, whether the eponymous cuvée, BriO or AltO, all offer a unique experience, reflecting the diversity of their terroirs and the attention paid to every step of their production. For lovers of great Bordeaux wines, these wines represent a promise of quality and elegance, to be appreciated today or left to age to reveal their full depth.