Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 2020 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Like its neighbors in the Ludon-Macau sector, Cantemerle suffered from bad weather in 2017 and 2018, which somewhat interrupted its magnificent qualitative progress. All the more reason to trust in previous years, which show all the finesse that this vast 90-hectare terroir is capable of. Prices remain affordable and the vintage is in good shape in 2019. The arrival of a new director, Laure Canu, marks the start of a new cycle for the estate.

Decanter

About wine:

The nose is very fragrant, with ripe black fruits and perfumed flowers (Parma violets). Juicy and clean, this wine has a pleasant body and texture, great acidity and a juicy character with a delicate sweetness, but counterbalanced by fresh, minty blackcurrant. Without overdoing it, always with a certain freshness—blue fruits, berries, and black cherries with a clean texture. Elegant, well-balanced. Nice weight. Everything is very well done here. Good conduct, classic and well-structured. Very easy to like. 2024-2035

Guide Hachette des vins

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 skillfully 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 to Laure Canu at the helm of this classic Médoc estate. While Cantemerle has always produced elegant, easy-drinking wines, those made over the last decade or so have added extra depth and definition, clearly positioning it as one of the best value wines in the entire Médoc region. The work in the vineyard and the vinification and blending choices made in recent years are paying off. It is worth taking advantage of this, especially as the aging potential is remarkable, as we can often verify.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

Sample from barrels. This large estate has produced a powerful, rich wine with great potential. Solid and well-balanced, with dense tannins that will blend gracefully with the fruit, this wine should age well.

James Suckling

About wine:

Aromas of blackcurrant and kirsch with notes of dried blood orange, licorice, and cocoa. Medium-bodied to full-bodied with layers of well-integrated, finely polished tannins. Structured and invigorating with a fruity, fresh, and lively palate, seasoned with spices and dried herbs. Long, chalky finish. Delicious now, but even better after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

Delicate cocoa aromas, depth of black fruit, the nose is very elegant. For his last vintage at the helm of Cantemerle, Philippe Dambrine has produced a very attractive wine, very mocha-like, creamy, built around a juicy palate, set with racy tannins and very controlled aging.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Purplish violet. A very inviting bouquet! It displays pleasant notes of cherries and blackcurrants, as well as hints of graphite. On the palate, the wine is elegant and compact. Its tannins are dense but not overpowering, with a fine texture. Beautiful aromatic intensity right through to the finish. A great success at Cantemerle! 2025-2040

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is fresh, aromatic, toasty, elegant, and offers delicacy and a certain power. There are notes of fresh blackberry, vanilla and, more subtly, strawberry, ripe/fresh red berries combined with hints of toast, fresh/bright violet plum, sweet blond tobacco and subtle hints of fresh hazelnut, with an imperceptible hint of graphite and pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, fresh and offers minerality, good definition, juiciness, elegance, good precision, fine tension and good finesse of grain. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh/pulpy blackberry, raspberry and, more subtly, vanilla, combined with hints of fresh/crunchy cherry, fresh lily, racy/fresh gravel, toast, toasted almond, subtle hints of graphite and a discreet hint of cubeb pepper. The tannins are precise and offer a certain straightforwardness. Good length. Firmness on the finish/persistence. A little chewiness on the finish.