Cantemerle 2012

This red shows some cassis, blueberries and floral notes on the nose. Some tar, too. Medium to full body, juicy tannins and a fruity finish. Enticing wine. Drink now or hold.

Deep ruby in colour, with cool, fresh blackcurrant and black cherry, hints of camphor and blackcurrant leaf, and a touch of sweet vanilla. There are the early hints of earthy development too, adding some nice complexity. The palate is compact and fresh with bright red and black berries shining through. There is some cedar and tobacco too, with the tannins wonderfully integrated into the wine, adding just the right level of savoury bite. The result on a finely etched finish is a moreish, well-proportioned and finely balanced Bordeaux, perfect to drink now or over the next 8+ years.

With a dense, ruby/purple color, low acidity, ripe tannin and well above-average depth, this is really an elegant, cleanly made, pure style of wine, with floral notes, mixed with blueberry and black cherry. It’s medium bodied, with light tannin and is best drunk over the next 10-12 years.

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. Tasted April 2013.

Deep dark crimson. Sweet cherry chocolate on the nose. Rich but fluid. Lively, juicy, fresh and harmonious. Very attractive in a lighter style but has very good length too. (JH)

Well-expressed southern Medoc fruit, quite polished and elgegant, good for the mid-term.

Drinking Window 2016 - 2022