Château Cantemerle Haut-Medoc
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Château Cantemerle is HVE certified, a prestigious French certification that recognizes farms and vineyards committed to exceptional, eco-friendly practices.
- The average vine age is 35 years.
- The superb maturity of Cantemerle’s Cabernet Sauvignon is evident up front by its degree of concentration and complexity. After decanting for an hour, its charm and elegance become evident, exemplifying the balance and fine flavors.
Varietals: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Elaboration: Médoc double Guyot pruning is used in the vineyard, with deleafing after flowering and grape thinning during fruit filling. Hand harvesting includes selective sorting, and all grapes are destemmed and hand-sorted before crushing. Fermentation lasts 6 to 8 days at 24°C to 28°C, followed by a 20 to 25-day maceration. The wine ages for 12 months in medium-toast French oak barrels, with 40% new barrels, and undergoes ultra-light fining before bottling.
Tasting Notes: The wine features a deep color reminiscent of an elegant evening gown, with aromas that are woody and spicy yet still youthful. On the palate, it exhibits classic Médoc Cabernet characteristics, including exotic wood, licorice, pepper, and a hint of red fruit. Its structure is complex and rich with great length.
PRESS
2018 – 94 Wine Enthusiast | 93 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Château Cantemerle is a notable estate in Bordeaux’s Haut-Médoc, with a history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Classified as a Fifth Growth estate in 1855, it has thrived after overcoming the phylloxera epidemic under the Dubos family and later the SMABTP Group.
Today, it is known for its exceptional Haut-Médoc wines from 90 to 94 hectares of 30 to 40-year-old vines. Primarily crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in fine French oak, these wines boast rich black fruit aromas and impressive aging potential.