Chateau Cantenac Brown

Named after an Englishman- John Edward Brown, who owned it for nearly forty years in the early nineteenth century until he went bankrupt. It is now back in British hands, God Save The Queen, and has produced its best wine for years in 2009. Between Messrs Brown and Simon Habibi, probably the most significant owner was AXA, who turned the enormous and distinctive chateau and many outbuildings into the AXA University. Presumably they are looking to relocate. Although AXA`s ownership was benign, and they dutifully invested in the vineyards, the wines never consistently excited enormous admiration, although they were ofen very good. But one oftern felt they were being made by the book. Certainly with the 2009 vintage there has been an enormous uplift in quality and energy. If the new owner can carry on the improvements then he will be a very worthy member of the Bordeaux aristocracy. In the meantime the 09 vintage represents extraordinary value while the market and the price wait to catch up with the progress. (CW 09/06/10)