Cantenac Brown sold to French family

Margaux third growth Château Cantenac Brown has been sold to Frenchman Tristan Le Lous for an estimated €150 million.

A 40 year-old agricultural engineer acquired the property from the British-Syrian Simon Halabi.

Local paper Sud-Ouest mentioned that the estimated price paid was €150m but the financial details of the sale have not been disclosed.

Le Lous commented: “The first glance of Château Cantenac Brown can really make your heart swell. Every time I see the Tudor-style castle overlooking the Gironde estuary through the morning mist I have a strong emotional reaction.”

In a statement issued by the new owners, it was revealed that a large investment plan is planned which will, among other things, add a new winery with a vat room that will allow parcel vinifications.

It was also made clear that Le Lous plans to continue the estate’s commitment to environmentally-friendly viticulture and winemaking – which has been the case since 2006 – with plans to evolve and develop farming methods further.

Le Lous continued: “This project is in line with our family’s passion for vines and my predilection for fine wines, especially from the Bordeaux region, which I have come to know thanks to my wife who is from the area.

“Château Cantenac Brown is one of the crown jewels of the Médoc region. As an agricultural engineer, I have very high expectations for this grand cru, given the exceptional quality of its terroir. Our challenge, with the recognised expertise of José Sanfins and the entire team, will be to provide the utmost precision at each step of the technical manufacturing process to produce, year after year, one of the best Margaux wines.”