There are three `Cantenacs` in the commune of Margaux, although `Brane` is more renowned than either Boyd or Brown. Brane-Cantenac lies to the west of the village of Cantenac, while the first half of its name comes from its early 19th century owner, the Baron de Brane, the nobility not being shy about having geography named after them. The good baron certainly chose an excellent property to append his name to, as the chateau possesses some extremely high quality vineyards; achieving second growth status in the 1855 Bordeaux classification, it often been described as the `first of the seconds`. Current owner Henri Lurton has dedicated himself to mapping out and gaining a better understanding of these vineyards, replanting and retrellising as necessary. The result is yet higher quality wines from a chateau that has never really sat on its hands. (NT 29/01/15)