| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Haut Médoc |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
As I indicated last year, quality has improved dramatically at this estate, and the 2006 is a quintessentially elegant Bordeaux displaying a dark ruby/purple color, a lovely bouquet of forest floor, sweet cherries, cranberries, and black currants, medium body, a textured, sweet, tannic mouthfeel, and a long finish. Everything is beautifully pure as well as perfectly balanced in this outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Excellent value.
The 2006 Cantemerle was the "surprise package" of the blind tasting at Farr Vintners' horizontal. It has a conservative nose with rosemary and undergrowth scents that open nicely in the glass, but retain a sense of classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, lightly spiced red berry fruit, sage and white pepper, quite persistent on the finish, which feels very pure. What an outstanding 2006 Claret - a Cantemerle that punches well above its weight.
Deep ruby colour with a little garnet fase at the rim. The nose is packen with sweet red cherry, a little blackcurrant, vanilla and cocoa bean. The palate is smooth, with a core of plums and cherries. There is a little smoke from new oak and some cedar forming the developed notes. This is slick, plump, soft, and ready to drink.
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc. Leather, cassis, spice, black fruit. Light tannins are good for drinking now.
Quality at this property has been rising dramatically over the last several vintages. Cantemerle will never be a blockbuster claret, but rather one built on finesse and elegance. Hints of menthol, black cherries, cranberries, and blueberries emerge from the 2006's perfumed bouquet. Medium body, impressive purity, good underlying texture, and sweet tannin suggest this elegantly-styled wine will drink well between 2009-2020+. It possesses intense flavors yet requires some introspection.
