Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 2025 - 5ème Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Like its neighbors in the Ludon-Macau region, Cantemerle suffered from the inclement weather of 2017 and 2018, which temporarily halted its magnificent improvement in quality. All the more reason to rely on the vintages from previous years, which showcase the full finesse of which this vast 90-hectare terroir is capable. Prices remain affordable, and the wine is in fine 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:

A very fragrant and aromatic nose, brimming with intense notes of violet and iris. Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon clearly dominate the aroma profile. A vibrant purple color in the glass. Elegant and exceptionally refined, this wine has a silky, almost creamy texture; its tannins are magnificent, and its palate is juicy and lively. Everything is in perfect balance. Very approachable, it is one of the finest examples of en primeur wines in terms of consistency, having been tasted three times. A savory finish with a hint of minerality. New winery completed in July 2024, equipped with 114 fermentation tanks. The team used a thermal camera for the plot-by-plot harvest in 2025. New label starting with this vintage. 4% Petit Verdot rounds out the blend. pH of 3.6. A yield of 30 hl/ha. 60% of production is grand vin. Aged for 12 months in barrels, 35% of which are new oak. 2033–2044

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

Intense and complex, with lovely notes of red berries and vanilla, the bouquet is as elegant as its ruby color. Bold and supple on the palate at first, the wine then builds in intensity, developing an imposing, full-bodied character, 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 crafted over the past decade or so offer added depth and definition, clearly positioning it as one of the best values in the entire Médoc. The work in the vineyard and the winemaking and blending decisions made in recent years are paying off. Now is the time to enjoy these wines, especially since their aging potential is remarkable, as we’ve often seen.

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About the wine:

It has an enticing nose, blending floral notes with subtle spicy aromas from the oak. It offers good concentration and a well-balanced palate, with a distinct and expressive fruity profile.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

With excellent concentration, the bouquet of the 2025 Cantemerle reveals a wealth of details. The aging process is obviously part of this, but not in a dominant way. On the contrary, it provides excellent support to the other aromatic elements, such as notes of blackberries, blueberries, black pepper, and mint. The silky, slightly briny character of the attack is followed by a velvety structure led by well-integrated tannins that harmonize with the fresh acidity. A well-rounded and cohesive wine that will age gracefully over the coming decades. 2030–2055