Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 2018 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Like its neighbors in the Ludon-Macau area, Cantemerle suffered from the adverse weather conditions of 2017 and 2018, which somewhat interrupted its remarkable qualitative progress. This only adds to the appeal of previous vintages, which showcase the full finesse of which this vast 90-hectare terroir is capable. Prices remain accessible, and the wine is in excellent form in 2019. The arrival of a new director, Laure Canu, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the estate.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Intense and complex, with lovely notes of red fruit and vanilla, the bouquet is as elegant as the ruby-red color. Bold and supple on the palate, the wine then builds in intensity, developing an imposing, full-bodied structure supported by fine, velvety tannins and skillfully balanced oak. 2024–2032

About the estate:

Intense and complex with beautiful notes of red fruit and vanilla, the bouquet is as elegant as the ruby ​​color. Frank and supple on the attack, the palate then builds in power to develop an imposing and fleshy body, supported by fine, velvety tannins and expertly balanced oak.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the wine:

It hasn't quite shed its youthful character yet. No need to worry, though, as the wine has good structure and enough body to handle it, despite a finish that's still a bit austere. It will need a little time.

About the estate:

Philippe Dambrine has just handed over the reins of this classic Médoc estate to Laure Canu. While Cantemerle has always produced elegant and approachable wines, those crafted over the past decade have added depth and definition, clearly positioning it as one of the best value wines in the entire Médoc. The work in the vineyard and the winemaking and blending choices made in recent years are paying off. It's a wine to take advantage of, especially given its remarkable aging potential, as we often observe.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

A well-structured, mature wine with dark fruit and integrated tannins. It has the structure to age well. The blackcurrant fruit is balanced by a dry, smoky core that shows great promise. Best enjoyed starting in 2026.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Rich aromas of blackberries, dried currants, chocolate, nuts, and tuile on the nose. It is medium-bodied to full-bodied with firm, refined tannins. Polished and structured with a lovely core of black fruit. Allow at least two years of bottle aging. Beautiful balance. Try after 2023.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

A pleasant nose with lovely aromas of wild berries that makes you want to take a bite; on the palate, it’s powerful with notes of blueberries, still showing some oak, and a finish with excellent length. Promising.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

As usual, Cantemerle is all about subtlety. The bouquet is elegant and inviting, with floral and fruity notes. Hints of peony and blackcurrant. Juicy and smooth on the palate. This pleasant sweetness nicely balances the firm, compact tannins. A lovely fruity intensity on the finish with a touch of candied fruit.  2023–2038

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity and elegant, offering subtle intensity and structure. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, wild strawberry, and, more subtly, red berries, combined with hints of toast, coffee, and subtle hints of tonka bean. The palate is fruity, mineral, balanced, finely structured, well-integrated, and offers a touch of freshness along with a mineral backbone. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/wild blackberry, wild raspberry, and, more subtly, ripe/crisp wild red berries, combined with delicate hints of violet, chocolate, and toasted bread, as well as subtle notes of coffee and toast. The tannins are well-integrated and very finely firm. Good length.