2016, Château Cantemerle, HAUT-MÉDOC

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

Medium garnet-purple coloured, the 2016 Cantemerle offers up warm plums, black cherries and mulberries with an earth and bay leaves undercurrent. The palate is medium-bodied with just enough fruit and pleasantly chewy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift. 89 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2018).

The 2016 Cantemerle has a tightly wound bouquet and it never quite delivers the detail and mineralité that some of its peers have produced in this vintage. There are attractive undergrowth scents and a touch of tobacco, but it does not leap from the glass with joy. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, good depth of fruit, blackberry laced with cedar and graphite. One sample was missed a little precision, however, a second and third demonstrated much more precision and tension. My score reflects this. 90-92 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (2017).

Sweet fruit on the nose is joined by plum and touches of vanillin. It has a southern Médoc feel, with almost-jammy fruit and a gourmet, damson streak. Edgy tannins hold the appealing, generous fruit, and the acidity is pretty high, but that's a signature of the vintage. A blend of the two Cabernets, Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, aged for 12 months in oak, 40% new. Eric Boissenot consults. 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (2018).

This beautiful château is one of the first major properties encountered heading north on the Route des Châteaux. Situated in a woodland setting, this 94-hectare estate is situated on sand and gravel soils, and produces fresh, early-drinking and great value wines. Medium-bodied with some graphite, mineral notes adding to the ripe blackberry fruit. 12 months ageing in oak, 40% new. 92 Andy Howard MW, Decanter (2021). 

Drinking Window: 2019 - 2028