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, and was achieved Second Growth status in 1855. The Lurton family arrived here in 1925. Henri Lurton took the helm in 1992, and has been a brilliant manager ever since.

Over the years he has been in charge, Henri has supervised several detailed soil studies, with a view to ensuring grape variety and rootstock are well matched. He takes the weather seriously, as any chateau manager should, and Brane has its own weather station plugged into the national and European network.

The heartland of the estate is the historic plateau of Brane, behind the chateau, with 12-metre-deep gravel soils. The grand vin comes almost entirely from here. (It has been 100%, in some vintages). The vineyard is planted to 55% Cabernet Sauvignon/40% Merlot/4.5% Cabernet Franc/0.5% Carmenere, but the grand vin generally has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Carmenere is not a historic survival, but a planting from 2007 that now makes it into the grand vin. Henri highly rates it as a background note bringing spice and complexity to the blend. (NT 08/08/25)