Les Vins
Assemblage: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon 42% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot
Production: 78 000 bouteilles
WINE SPECTATOR – James Molesworth: 92
Very solid, with a core of gently steeped black currant and plum fruit that shows ample depth, while notes of bay, loam and bramble run underneath. A loamy edge echoes longest, thanks to well-embedded acidity. Best from 2019 through 2028.
WINE ADVOCATE – Neal Martin: 91
The 2014 Brown, now in bottle, is building on the promise it showed in barrel. It has a ripe and generous bouquet with upfront cedar-infused black fruit. This property is always a little feisty in its youth and this 2014 is no different, though it needs 3-4 years to fully assimilate the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, delicious black fruit laced with tobacco and spices, gently fanning out towards the finish that offers commendable substance and length. A Pessac-Léognan property that I feel is undervalued in the marketplace, this 2014 Château Brown comes recommended and should drink well for 15-20 years.
JAMES SUCKLING: 91
Quite a savory wine in which the cassis and cranberry fruit rather sit in the background, but the tannins are moderate in this context, and that makes the wine very approachable.
Assemblage : 52% Cabernet Sauvignon 46% Merlot 2% Petit Verdot
Production : 65 000 bouteilles
WINE SPECTATOR : 86-89
Pretty floral, plum and raspberry notes mingle here, with a light singed spice spine on the finish. Shows good freshness and cut.
JANCIS ROBINSON : 16.5
RENE GABRIEL : 16
RVF : 14-14,5
JM QUARIN : 16
Assemblage : 50% Cabernet Sauvignon 46% Merlot 4% Petit Verdot
Production : 77 200 bouteilles
ANTONIO GALLONI : 90 (Janvier 2016)
A big, broad-shouldered wine, the 2012 Brown hits the palate with serious intensity and slightly rough contours that are going to need time to settle down. The high presence of Merlot (70%) and pushed, ripe style add to the wine’s considerable personality. A rush of black cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco, licorice and incense leaves a positive last impression.
BETTANE ET DESSEAUVE – primeurs : 15/20
Très classique et bien vinifié, il propose un nez épanoui au beau fruit mûr, aux subtiles nuances florales et minérales, une bouche charnue, très aromatique, savoureuse et tonique.
WINE SPECTATOR: 91 – James Molesworth (fev 2015)
Nicely packed, with energetic flavors of blackberry cobbler, blueberry paste and boysenberry coulis carried by a brambly structure and pushed by anise and ganache accents on the finish. Shows solid grip and should do well with cellaring. This has added some weight since the barrel tasting. Best from 2017 through 2022.
Assemblage : 50% Merlot 45% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Petit Verdot
Production : 62 000 bouteilles
LA REVUE DU VIN DE France : 15,5/20
La bouche est encore un peu ferme, mais la matière reste dense avec une trame de tanins qui structure l’ensemble. La bouche, complète, se décline sur des parfums classiques d’épices et de fruits.
DECANTER World Wine Awards 2014 – Silver medal
A wonderfully sexy wine with a fine cassis fragrance and a touch of flamboyance. Lovely depth and harmony on a medium-bodied palate carried by plush fruit, with very supple, ripe tannins and toasty oak. Polished, delicious and elegant, with generosity and succulence.
DECANTER – primeurs : 17/20
Bright, pure, mineral. Fresh acidity and appetising fruit. Well balanced and sleek.
Assemblage : 60% Cabernet Sauvignon 37% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot
Production : 89 000 bouteilles
BETTANE ET DESSEAUVE – Le guide des vins de France : 14,5/20
On reconnaît bien là la justesse de l’équilibre qui caractérise généralement ce vin : un fruit épanoui et intense, des notes florales, une bouche ample et fraîche.
WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE – Roger Voss : 92 points
Château Brown continues its impressive push to quality with this fine 2010. It brings demonstrates the structure of the year with firm, youthful tannins. But it also shown plentiful black-currant flavor, layered with acidity. Classic and serious, this is a wine for aging.
WINE SPECTATOR – James Molesworth : 92 points
Shows good range, with currant, tangy iron and sanguine notes. Turns plush, with a tarry hint on the finish. Displays density, but stays pure.
DECANTER
Aromatic with cassis and leafy notes. The palate is pure and fruit driven and shows real vibrancy.
Assemblage : 56% Merlot 40% Cabernet Sauvignon 4% Petit Verdot
Production : 83 500 bouteilles
BETTANE & DESSEAUVE : 14/20
Fruit épanoui et mûr, notes de pivoine, minérales et résineux, bouche savoureuse, riche, fondante avec des tanins vigoureux.
WINE SPECTATOR – James Molesworth : 92 points
Very tight, delivering espresso, iron and kirsch notes wound up at the core, covered for now with bay, tar and roasted mesquite flavors. The long finish has nicely buried racy acidity. This is more lean muscle than overt power, and should age nicely. Best from 2013 through 2021.
WINE ENTHUSIAST – 92 points
A deeply rich-colored and flavored wine, smooth and showing the great ripeness of the vintage. Acidity and firm tannins offer structure to what is a spicy, fruity wine, dominated by fresh black plum and prune flavors.
Assemblage : 67% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 3% Petit Verdot
Production : 71 200 bouteilles
BETTANE & DESSEAUVE – 14,5/20
Nez harmonieux, fruité, avec des notes florales et minérales, bouche charnue, fruitée, pas d’une très grande puissance mais équilibrée et agréable.
