A blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2012 boasts a dense blue/purple color along with a sweet perfume of unsmoked cigar tobacco, bay leaf, black currants, plums and licorice. With medium to full body, impressive concentration, ripe, velvety tannins, decent acidity, and only a background note of wood, it can be consumed over the next 10-15 years. Owned by Helene Garcin-Leveque (also the proprietor of the neighboring Haut-Bergey), this small estate possesses an exquisite terroir.

Unfortunately, there are only 500-600 cases of Branon produced from a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in a vineyard situated near Malartic-Lagraviere and Haut-Bailly. Much better than its stablemate Haut-Bergey, the 2011 Branon exhibits notes of camphor, barbecue smoke, black currants and blueberries. This intensely rich effort tastes of old vines, ink and graphite. This medium to full-bodied, rich Pessac-Leognan should drink well for 15 or more years.

Lifted cassis fruit, good clarity and depth but a shows a little greenness. Drink 2015-2020. (15.5 points)