CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE

2012 5ème Cru Classé Macau

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
District Left Bank
Sub-district Haut Médoc
Village Macau
Classification 5ème Cru Classé
ABV 13%

Not giving much away on the nose, but then quite rounded, bright fruit in the mouth. Quite big and creamy, but not getting milk-chocolaty. Nice poise and quite elegant - not rich but attractive. Finishes well on a nicely lifted note. Pretty good, but eg Cambon La Pelouse is just as good. Rating: 90 L&S (Apr 2013)


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The Cantemerle has a fine bouquet that demonstrates clarity and lift – graphite infused black fruit, expressive Cabernet fruit to the fore. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp, edge tannins and a lovely citric seam that cuts through the mocha-tinged fruit. The oak feels a little heavy-handed at this stage, but it should integrated well and become a fine Cantemerle for the vintage. Rating: 88-90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2013)

Cantemerle’s ethereal elegance and racy, classy style are unmistakable in this understated yet pretty, dark ruby-colored 2012. Offering lots of cherry, raspberry and black currant fruit, this is a wine of unmistakable finesse and delicacy. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years. 2013 - 2025 Rating: 89-91 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 2013)

Rating: 86 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Apr 2013)

Château Cantemerle

Philippe Dambrine retires as director of the estate at the end of the 2020 vintage, after a long successful tenure. He is replaced by Laure Canu from Château Angélus. Laure is taking on the property in fine fettle with recent innovations in the cellar including their Air-Flow pump system that ensures the softest touch and minimal extraction of the juice - particularly valuable in the recent run of hot vintages. In the vineyard too plot selections and their HVE (level 3) certification means the developments continue towards healthier, better and more sustainable farming.
The long history of Château Cantemerle begins at least as far back as the 12th Century when it was a fortification. Wine production got under way seriously under the watch of the Villeneuve family who bought Cantemerle in 1579 and finally sold up in 1892. During that time Château Cantemerle famously scraped in to the 1855 classification as an apparent last minute addition after some frantic lobbying by Caroline de Villeneuve-Durfort. Théophile-Jean Dubos bought Cantemerle in 1892 and had some initial success, but the 20th Century saw a familiar period of decline and his descendents sold up nearly a hundred years later in 1981 to the Groupe SMABTP who's recent investments have put Château Cantemerle back on its feet.
Château Cantemerle lies in Macau, to the south of the Margaux appellation. There are 87ha under vine, planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Grapes are hand harvested. The Grand Vin spends 12 months in wood, of which 50% is new.
There is a second wine - Les Allées de Cantemerle.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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