Château Brane-Cantenac
Updated on
Château Brane-Cantenac, a 2e Cru Classé en 1855 in Margaux, is managed by Henri Lurton. It produces red wines from a gravel terroir and has reintroduced Carmenère. The estate, certified HVE and SME, is open for visits by appointment.
Identity
Château Brane-Cantenac is an 1855 2e Cru Classé, located in the commune of Margaux-Cantenac. Henri Lurton manages the estate, and his children have been its owners since 2022. The estate works alongside consultant oenologist Éric Boissenot, with Florent Cillero serving as cellar master. Christophe Capdevielle is estate manager and Marie-Hélène Faurie is deputy director.
History and philosophy
The estate's history dates back to an era when it was known as Château Gorce. In 1833, it was acquired by Baron Hector de Brane, who gave it its current name, Château Brane-Cantenac. The property was subsequently sold to the Roy family in 1866. In the early 20th century, Léonce Récapet acquired it in 1925, and the property was passed down to his family, notably to François Lurton. Henri Lurton took over the helm of the estate in 1992.
The estate has embraced an environmental approach, achieving HVE certification in 2019, as well as SME (Système de Management Environnemental) certification that same year. Since 2010, the Carmenère grape variety has been reintroduced to the vineyard.
Appellations
The wines of Château Brane-Cantenac are produced under the Margaux appellation.
Winemaking and ageing
Ageing for the wines of Château Brane-Cantenac lasts for a period of 18 months, with the entire production matured in new oak barrels.
Practical information
Château Brane-Cantenac is located at Chemin de Benqueyre, 33460 Margaux-Cantenac, France. The estate can be reached by telephone on +33 (0)5 57 88 83 33 or by email at contact@brane-cantenac.com.
The estate offers private tours strictly by appointment, from Monday to Friday. These one-hour visits include a tasting of three wines. The Château is closed on weekends, public holidays, and throughout August.
Find out more
Official estate websiteFrequently asked questions
- Who are the current owners of Château Brane-Cantenac?
- The children of Henri Lurton have been the owners of Château Brane-Cantenac since 2022. Henri Lurton oversees the management of the estate. The property is also supported by a dedicated team including oenologist Éric Boissenot, cellar master Florent Cillero, estate manager Christophe Capdevielle, and deputy director Marie-Hélène Faurie, all working to uphold the excellence and heritage of this Margaux 2e Cru Classé.
- What is the grape variety breakdown and terroir at Château Brane-Cantenac?
- The vineyard of Château Brane-Cantenac spans 75 hectares. It is planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon (77%) and Merlot (20%), alongside small parcels of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carmenère at 1% each. The vines, with an average age of 35 years, are set on deep Quaternary gravels across different terraces, notably Terrace 4. Grapes are harvested by hand to ensure optimal quality selection.
- Which environmental certifications has Château Brane-Cantenac achieved?
- Château Brane-Cantenac is committed to a rigorous environmental strategy. The estate achieved Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification in 2019, recognising its eco-friendly agricultural practices. That same year, it was also awarded SME (Système de Management Environnemental) certification, highlighting its comprehensive management system to reduce its environmental footprint and preserve its terroir.
- Which wines are produced by Château Brane-Cantenac?
- Château Brane-Cantenac produces several cuvées under the Margaux appellation. The grand vin, Château Brane-Cantenac, is structured and rich in fruit, designed for long cellar ageing. The second wine, Le Baron de Brane, is more accessible in its youth, showcasing an elegant, fruit-driven profile. The estate also crafts a third wine, Château Notton, as well as Margaux de Brane. A white wine, blended from Sauvignon and Sémillon, was launched in 2019.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Brane-Cantenac vineyard covers a total area of 75 hectares, with 72 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 3 hectares planted with white varieties. The average age of the vines is 35 years. The terroir consists primarily of deep Quaternary gravels, particularly on Terrace 4. The vineyard is divided into distinct terraces, corresponding to specific soil types formed across different geological eras.
The red grape varieties comprise 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carmenère. Harvesting is carried out by hand.
Key cuvées
The flagship wine is Château Brane-Cantenac, sourced primarily from the Terrace 4 plateau. This wine is defined by rich, dense fruit and structured tannins, built for bottle ageing.
The estate's second wine is Le Baron de Brane, crafted from grapes grown on Terraces 5 and 3. It reveals an elegant, fruit-forward aromatic profile, with a structure that allows it to be enjoyed earlier. The estate also produces a third wine, Château Notton, as well as a cuvée named Margaux de Brane.
A dry white wine was introduced in 2019, made from a blend of 80% Sauvignon and 20% Sémillon.
- Appellation
- Margaux
- Commune
- Margaux-Cantenac
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Classification
- 2e Cru Classé 1855
- Owner
- Enfants d'Henri Lurton
- Technical direction
- Florent Cillero
- Surface area
- 75 ha
- Second wine
- Le Baron de Brane
- Certifications
- HVE, SME
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon 77%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 1%, Petit Verdot 1%, Carmenère 1%
Estate news
25 August 2026
95/100 Parker: Château Mangot steigt in die Spitzenklasse ...
L'article présente le Château Mangot 2022 comme une montée en gamme significative pour ce domaine de Saint-Émilion. Il met en avant la note de 95/100 attribuée par Robert Parker, le qualifiant de «plus beau millésime de Mangot» dégusté par l'expert. Yves Beck a également noté ce vin biologique de 94/100. Le Château Mangot 2022 est composé de 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc et 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, et est classé Grand Cru Classé. L'article mentionne d'autres vins notables du catalogue de Daniel Gazzar Weine, notamment le Château le Reysse 2019, un Médoc noté 93/100 par Yves Beck, et le Château Brane-Cantenac 2025 (en Primeur), qui a reçu des scores impressionnants de 96-98/100 par Yves Beck, 93-96/100 par Parker et 97-99/100 par la Revue Vinum. La famille Lurton célèbre son 100ème anniversaire avec une édition collector pour ce millésime de Brane-Cantenac. L'article fait partie d'une section d'actualités du site, datée du 25/08/2026, bien que cette date semble être une projection future ou une erreur de saisie.
Read the source — daniel-vins.chPractical information
- Address
- 33460 Margaux-Cantenac - France, 33460
- Phone
- 05 57 88 83 33
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Visites privées sur réservation uniquement, du lundi au vendredi. Durée 1 heure, comprend une dégustation de 3 vins. Fermé les week-ends, les jours fériés et durant le mois d'août.