Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 2020 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Like its neighbors in the Ludon-Macau area, Cantemerle suffered from bad weather in 2017 and 2018, putting a slight halt to its magnificent qualitative progress. All the more reason to have confidence in previous years, showing all the finesse of which this vast 90-hectare terroir is capable. Prices remain affordable and the cru is in good shape for 2019. The arrival of a new director, Laure Canu, marks the start of a new cycle for the estate.

Decanter

About the wine:

The nose is highly perfumed, with ripe black fruit and fragrant flowers (Parma violets). Juicy and clean, this wine has pleasing body and texture, great acidity and juiciness with a delicate sweetness, but counterbalanced by fresh, minty cassis. Without overdoing it, still with a certain freshness - blue fruits, berries and black cherries with a clean texture. Elegant, well-balanced. Nice weight. All very well done here. Well behaved, classic and well framed. Very easy to like. 2024-2035

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Intense and complex, with notes of red fruit and vanilla, the bouquet is as elegant as the ruby color. Straightforward and supple on the attack, the palate then rises to develop an imposing, fleshy body, underpinned by fine, velvety tannins and skilfully measured oak.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

Philippe Dambrine has just handed over the reins of this classic Médoc estate to Laure Canu. While Cantemerle has always produced elegant, easily digestible wines, those produced over the last ten years have added extra depth and definition, clearly positioning it as one of the best value for money estates in the Médoc. The work done in the vineyard and the winemaking and blending choices made over the last few years are paying off. We must take advantage of this, especially as the ageing potential is remarkable, as we can often verify.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Barrel sample. This great estate has produced a powerful, rich wine with great potential. Solid, well-balanced, with dense tannins that melt gracefully into the fruit, this wine should age well.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Aromas of cassis and kirsch with hints of dried blood orange, licorice and cocoa. Medium- to full-bodied, with layers of well-integrated, finely polished tannins. Structured and invigorating, with a fruity, fresh and lively palate seasoned with spices and dried herbs. Persistent, chalky finish. Delicious today, but even better after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Delicate cocoa aromas, depth of black fruit, a very elegant nose. For his last vintage at the helm of Cantemerle, Philippe Dambrine has produced a very pretty wine, very mocha-colored, creamy, built around a juicy palate, set with racy tannins and very controlled ageing.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Purplish purple. An inviting bouquet! Pleasant notes of cherry and blackcurrant, with hints of graphite. On the palate, the wine is elegant and compact. Its tannins are dense but not overpowering, with a fine grain. Beautiful aromatic intensity through to the finish. A great success for Cantemerle! 2025-2040

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fresh, aromatic, toasty, elegant, delicate and powerful. Notes of fresh blackberry, vanilla and, to a lesser extent, strawberry, ripe/fresh red berries are combined with hints of toast, fresh/flavoring violet plum, sweet blond tobacco, as well as fine hints of fresh hazelnut, and an imperceptible hint of graphite and pepper (in the background). Fruity and fresh on the palate, with minerality, good definition, juiciness, elegance, precision, fine tension and fine grain. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh/pulpy blackberry, raspberry and, more lightly, vanilla, combined with hints of fresh/crisp cherry, fresh lily, racy/fresh gravel, toasted almond, fine graphite and a discreet hint of cuben pepper. The tannins are precise and offer a certain uprightness. Good length. Firmness on the finish/persistence. Slight chewiness on the finish.