Château Brown Pessac-Léognan Rouge 2019
- ws90
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | Château Brown |
Origin | France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan |
Alcohol/vol | 14.5% |
The history of Château Brown stretches back to the 12th century, when Aquaitaine (what is now Bordeaux) was under English rule. The name of the estate comes from a Scottsman, John Lewis Brown, who purchased the estate shortly after the French Revolution in the late 18th century. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Château Brown was recognized as one of the flagship producers in Graves, though in the 20th century the estate fell on hard times. In 2004, Jean-Christophe Mau purchased the estate from Bernard Barthe, who, in 1994, began the process of resurrecting the phoenix from the ashes. Jean-Christophe continued the intensive modernization of the vineyards and the cellar begun by Bernard. With his savvy, Jean-Christophe was able to highlight the exceptional quality of Brown’s terroir and wines to Bordeaux insiders, firmly reestablishing the estate’s historic reputation. Today, Château Brown has completed its renaissance and is in its rightful place as an iconic estate in the region, one that delivers the best value in Pessac-Léognan: Grand Cru quality at a petit price.
The Château Brown is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot. All grapes are hand harvested from the estate's gravelly and clay-limestone soils, then fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 12-15 months in French oak barrels, 40% of which are new. Deep ruby in color with purple highlights strewn throughout. On the nose, concentrated aromas of cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco and cedar plume from the glass. The palate is dense and powerful though supremely balanced by an elegant lift of invigorating acidity with focused juicy fruit flavors, framed perfectly by smooth, mouth-coating tannins. This wine is all about the energy and freshness derived from the purity of fruit. On the finish, the 2019 Château Brown shows the pedigree of the estate and the ripeness and decadence of this stunning vintage: It is also one of the best values to be found from the Left Bank!
Wine Spectator
- ws90
Open and forward in feel, featuring a wave of warmed cassis, steeped plum and blackberry notes, with licorice and tar accents. Delivers a nice tug of earth on the finish, as the fruit keeps pace. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028. 7,000 cases made, 400 cases imported.