CHÂTEAU CANTEMERLE

2019 5ème Cru Classé Macau

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

The 2019 Cantemerle has a ripe and sensual bouquet with ample black cherry and blueberry scents that burst from the glass, flecks of dark chocolate and clove emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins that impart a fleshier mouthfeel compared to previous vintages. It works well because there is still ample structure underneath and cunningly disguised. Smooth as silk on the finish, this is simply a delicious Cantemerle. Drinking range: 2024 - 2050 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jun 2020)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

Completely delicious. A suavely polished feel. Nice red fruit lift on the palate with darker softer flesh too adding complexity and good amplitude. Creamy tannins - then a touch reedy - in a good way adding a classic edge, a refinement. Very smart Cantmerle indeed. One to stuff in the cellar. On the finish it is that feel again that impresses - just enough very soft tannin.

Philippe Dambrine who runs this Medoc stalwart was keen to illustrate the evolution of the work here - constantly refining their processes and getting more detailed in the vineyards. The latest update thgis year has been the new pumps - for pump over that are much gentler on the juice. It is no longer a physical pump - now it is air that pushes the juice gently from the bottom to the top. If this 2019 is the result - then what a great investment!

L&S (Jun 2020)

The 2019 Cantemerle has a fruit-driven bouquet with opulent blackberry and blueberry fruit, certainly one of the most floral in the flight with pressed violets developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, fleshy and rounded, though I am looking for more tension and precision on the finish. This is a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value. No excuse not to have this in your cellar. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. Drinking range: 2025 - 2050 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

The 2019 Cantemerle is a very pretty and understated wine. Sweet red cherry, plum, blood orange, spice, tobacco, leather and dried herbs all grace this expressive Haut-Médoc. The 2019 is super classy from start to finish, but there is a bit less depth and overall substance than there was at the outset. Drinking range: 2024 - 2039 Rating: 91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2022)

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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