The commune of Margaux is a powerhouse, representing over a third of all 61 classified growths. It seems you can’t drive more than a few hundred yards in any direction without stumbling upon an impressive Palladian structure producing world-class wine—quite simply, it’s the epicenter of elite Bordeaux. Third Growth Château Cantenac Brown is one of these, although with its estate is Tudor in style, thanks to its Great Britain roots. Today, the estate is owned by the Burgundy-based Le Lous family and has grown to 60 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot—expansive, yes, but still humble in comparison to famed First Growth Chateau Margaux. 

The 2016 is elegantly layered, sublime, loaded with earth and savor—wines like this create that “aha” moment for those who still cannot grasp the unrivaled greatness of the Left Bank. With 30 minutes in a decanter, the wine unfolds with soft, unobtrusive aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, roasted strawberries, dried black raspberry, wild plum, bay leaf, black tea, crushed rock, violet, and a touch of baking spice. The palate is superbly balanced with a plush core of dark berry fruit that’s enhanced by a firm mineral backbone. It’s precise, chiseled, and velvety all in one. The best part of all? This isn’t a vintage that requires 15-20 years of aging before a drinking window emerges—it’s already in the prime of its life right now, and will stay there for the next decade.