Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 2019 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A fine wine—very open, silky, long, refined, and artistic—deserving of great success, especially since the prices remain very reasonable. It can be enjoyed in 6 to 7 years, though its natural delicacy makes it almost ready to drink now.

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.

Decanter

About the wine:

Green pepper and herbal notes on the nose, menthol-like eucalyptus, and aromas of ripe cherry and blackcurrant—a very classic profile. A lovely sensation on the palate, smooth, well-defined, and precise. Quite direct and serious, with black fruit and a concentrated core, yet featuring supple tannins, a sweetness, and a freshness that elevate the whole. A delicious balance. Leaves a lasting impact and impression. A great value. 2025–2045

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A quintessential Haut-Médoc, this superb age-worthy wine reveals its character through its deep, intense color, enlivened by beautiful violet hues. The bouquet lives up to these promises with its powerful aromas of spices and chocolate. The palate follows suit with its vigor, concentration, and fruity intensity, beautifully balanced with oak, and its long finish. A complete wine built to last. 2027–2032

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 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:

Tasted from the barrel. This Grand Cru Classé has produced a richly structured wine, balanced by ripe black fruit. It is spiced by the touch of Petit Verdot in the blend, as well as by a delicate acidity and freshness that give it balance and a vibrant finish.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A red wine with plenty of character, featuring notes of redcurrant, blackberry, fresh grass, and tobacco. There’s also a hint of mushroom. It’s full-bodied and complex, with polished, well-integrated tannins and a bright, fresh finish. Very long and concentrated. Give it time to open up. Very classic in style. Best after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

The brilliant ruby color reveals a dominant menthol note on the nose, evoking a beautiful freshness. The attack is full and pure before the finesse of the tannins comes to the fore, true to the signature of this Haut-Médoc—so typical of Margaux, so elegant...

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What intensity in Cantemerle’s bouquet! While it’s certainly still strongly influenced by its aging, the complexity of the aromas beautifully balances this out. Inviting notes of ripe black berries and licorice. Creamy and smooth on the palate. The wine has body, velvety tannins, and beautiful aromatic expression right from the first sip. A pleasant freshness on the finish counterbalances its somewhat opulent character. Great potential on the horizon! 2024–2036