Brane Cantenac hosts California tasting

Chateau Brane Cantenac is hosting a high-end California tasting – for the great names of Bordeaux who are ‘curious’ about the Cabernets produced on the other side of the Atlantic.

Some of the most prestigious names in Bordeaux, including Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux, Anthony Barton of Leoville Barton, Hubert de Bouard of Angelus, and Eric d’Aramon of Figeac will attend the tasting, along with a host of their peers.

Christian Moueix will not attend but will send his Napa wine, Dominus, for the event at the Margaux second growth on 19 October.

California wineries that have been invited to the tasting include Ridge, run by former Decanter Man of the Year Paul Draper and regarded as one of the world’s foremost wineries, Caymus, Justin Vineyards and L’Aventure from Paso Robles, the highly-rated Robert Craig, and other well-regarded producers.

Wines tasted – all blind – will be the 2002 vintage. Other attendees include Gildas d’Ollone of Pichon Lalande, Thomas Duroux of Palmer, Didier Cuvelier of Leoville Poyferre, Jose Sanfins of Cantenac Brown, Jacques Lurton, Sylvie Cazes, and Eric Turbier of Mouton.

The event is being organised by Brane Cantenac owner Henri Lurton and marketing director Corinne Conroy, together with Rick Waterman of the California Vintners’ Club.

Conroy is at pains to point out this is not a competition, ‘but a discovery of various great California Cabernets from different areas’.

She told decanter.com, ‘The response has been terrific. The idea is to stir some interest on the part of the French growers: they are very curious and they think it is a great opportunity for them to try wines they are not familiar with.’

The Bordeaux guests are encouraged to bring their own 2002 vintage, which will be tasted over lunch.

Written by Adam Lechmere