Château Cantemerle, Grand Cru Classé, 2020

Attention all lovers of Bordeaux!

This has to be one of the best value Châteaux that we have ever sold.

This is cellar-worthy Grand Cru Classé wine, approaching its plateau of delicious drinking in tip-tip drinking condition. This deeply impressive and hugely respected property is one of the very few Châteaux to be classified in 1855 that is not based within one of the famed communes. This has somewhat stunted its ability to continually increase prices, while the quality of the property has - perhaps contrarily - continued to grow and grow and grow.

Château Cantemerle, one of the original Grand Cru Classé wines from the classification of 1855, is a highly-esteemed winery in the Haut-Médoc region. The Château is the commune of Macau, not too far north of the city of Bordeaux and Pessac-Léognan and just south of Margaux.

It  is one of the oldest wineries in the Haut-Médoc region, with records dating back to the 13th century, and it was the one of the very last wines to make the classification list. It's a 5ème Grand Cru classé or "fifth growth", after what was reportedly intense lobbying by members of the Villeneuve family, though they were hardly the only people "passing envelopes" to alter the process. They bought Cantemerle in 1579 and kept it in the family until they sold-up in 1892.

The estate has 90 hectares of vineyards, which are planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, in much the same way that a Margaux or Pessac property might be planted. Grapes are then hand harvested and follow a very traditional vinification including a 12 month ageing in barriques, of which half are new.

It is almost always an elegant, refined wine that captures the spirit of the this in-between land (neither Margaux not Pessac) and shows elements of both: perfume from Margaux and Cassis-pencil-lead from Pessac. The property is known for wines of vibrant colour, generous aromatics and full-bodied flavours. Remarkably, the wines maintain their high quality even after ageing for several decades and the property is never one to be questioned over its justification of status (regardless of potential lobbying back in the day, it appears that the decision was a fair one... the 1855 equivalent of VAR...)

James Suckling, 93-94 Points

"Lots or richness and fruit for this winery, showing blackberry, blackcurrant and dark-chocolate character. It’s full and layered. Well done."

Jancis Robinson, 16+ Points

"Dark purple crimson with black core. Distinctive aroma that brings together not just
cassis and damson but also the more lifted scent of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Gently
leafy (not unripe) and with a light floral note like peony. Really pretty. On the palate, darker fruited but also with a marked dark-chocolate-like sweetness. Smooth, chewy tannins. Lots of flavour and a fruit and oak sweetness on the finish (though of course it is as dry wine), as well as the more savoury side from the dry tannins. Well integrated even now"

Decanter, 93 Points

"This has the tight tannins of the vintage with damson and an edge of bitter dark chocolate, but it is a success all the same - confident, succulent, elegant and classic. Philippe Dambrine retires as director of the estate as of this vintage, replaced by Laure Canu from Château Angélus. A yield of 45 hectolitre per hectare, 40% new oak, 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend."