Cantemerle 2019

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. Drink 2025-2050.

A red with lots of currant, blackberry, fresh-herb and tobacco character. Hint of mushroom, too. It’s full and layered with polished, chewy tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Very long and focused. Give it time to come together. Very classic character here. Best after 2026.

Opening in the glass with notions of rich berry fruit, licorice, cedar, violets and loamy soil, the 2019 Cantemerle is medium to full-bodied, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and powdery tannins that gently assert themselves on the finish. This shut down a little after bottling (some 11 months ago at the time of writing), but it is beginning to bounce back to reveal a wine of real charm and character. - drink 2025-2045

Château Cantemerle saw substantial investments in the 1980s and since then has cruised along very happily—until now, with a new winery and cellar about to enter the construction phase. There are 98 hectares under vine, some 68% of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, at a density of 8,500 vines per hectare. Occupying a crescent around the château, the vineyards sit on Mindel gravels, and the terroir is rather homogenous, such that any given parcel has the potential to make it into the grand vin (the second wine is mostly derived from young-vine parcels). Farming is thoughtful, with minimal chemicals and cover crops employed to limit vigor in parcels planted with Merlot. In the last few years, almost one kilometer of hedges has been added, to enhance biodiversity. The air-pulse system was prototyped here, so that's the order of the day during vinification, and élevage employs moderate percentages of new oak.

The blend in 2019 is very similar to the overall plantings: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Bright ruby purple colour. Fine and fresh on the nose with light cedar, camphor and cool black fruit. There is an underlying ripeness that gives real intensity and enticement to the nose. The palate is compact and well-measured, driven by fine layers of succulent black and red fruit. The spice is gentle and well integrated together with sandy but ripe tannins. This is classic Claret with added oomph, displaying very fine balance and good length with a light dusting of spice and sweetness. Undoubtedly one of the best Cantemerles we have ever tasted. Very good value for money.

Plenty of smoked cedar oak on the opening beats, this is full-throated in its extraction, but comes across as confident rather than too much, and as it softens the damson and black cherry fruits are attractive. A healthy 55hl/h yield, with 40% new oak

Tasted blind. Sweet, lightly oaky nose. Quite fresh, but a bit stringy on the end. Not quite enough fruit concentration on the end. Just a bit weak but not exaggerated. 13.5%
Drink 2027
– 2037

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot.
Black core and deep crimson rim. Pure, deep cassis nose. Powerful, dry, dark-fruited wine. Elegantly structured without a great deal of flesh but the tannins are very fine. Firm, chewy finish. (JH) 13.5%
Drink 2025 – 2035

The blend in 2019 is very similar to the overall plantings: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. There is a new pumpover system in use here, called "Airpulse" which is seen as a major change in the winemaking and removes the use of pumps. This should add a layer of refinement to the structure of the wine. The yields are 55hl/ha, and the wine will be aged in 40% new French oak for 12 months. Bright ruby in the glass, the nose is sweet and plummy with just a hint of sandalwood and cedar. The palate is fleshy in fruit but tamed by chalky tannins. This is superbly proportioned and harmonious, offering freshness despite the plump fruit at the core. Vibrant with fruit yet with a savoury edge on the finish.

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample.
Really quite graceful in a Margaux sort of way. Fresh, zesty nose with cassis and graphite notes. Juicy and long with plenty of delicately etched tannins offering refinement to the palate. Sufficient fruit weight. Clean, persistent finish with no excess. (JL)
Drink 2026 – 2034