Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.

Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.

🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.

Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 12 days ago

Por La Vida

9.1

Excellent full bodied Bordeaux. Drinking just perfectly now. — 6 years ago

Jonathan Owen

9.0

Classier than the Cantemerle. Not a great vintage, but had a beautiful smell of leather. Fine grained tannins that were not that aggressive. A good year to drink in the near term. — 10 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. One of my favourite vintages for Cantemerle, and the second wine is delicious too. While it doesn't have the complexity and length of the grand vin, it's a nice, elegant Haut-Médoc in its own right. — 5 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2015 vintage. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. This could be mistaken for Cantemerle in a blind tasting (that's a compliment btw). Classic Haut-Médoc with cassis, cedar and licorice. Drinking beautifully now, fresh and juicy. Great value. Abv. 13,5%. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2018 vintage. Located in Ludon, with famous neighbours La Lagune and Cantemerle. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (42%) and Cabernet Franc (3%). A bit timid on the nose, the fruit hidden by cedar wood and a hint of coffee. Medium-bodied with bright cassis fruit and impeccable freshness. Needs time to balance out the oak, but everything is in place. A little patience required, but another fine Bordeaux value at 14 euros. — 5 years ago

Sarah C

9.5

1949. Unreal — 10 years ago

with Andrew, Jason and 1 other

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep ruby, medium wide garnet rim . A bid rounder and more genourously fruited than the Cantemerle , ripe blackberry , blackcurrant , but some sea spray , oyster shell notes too . Tobacco hints also. On the palate this shows a bit more rounded generous fruit and some grippy , slightly rustic, tannins (more than the Cantemerle) good fresh acidity still . More fruit at first , and a little more glycerine on the palate . Good tobacco , blackcurrant and grafite finish , slightly saline , oyster shell notes also . Good length. This is showing better than the Cantemerle , and a little more generous in terms of fruit and ripeness . Good now but will now doubt age well further over the next 10-15 years . For Sociando Mallet this is a good , really quite accomplished wine. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2018 vintage. Tasted two of the oldest estates in Bordeaux alongside (the other being Cantemerle 2018) and Olivier is the clear winner in the same price category. This estate has been on a hot streak for the last few years and it is incredible value at less than 40 euros. It's a very big estate (220 hectares), but only 60 hectares are under vine (52 Red and 8 white). Black and red fruits, spices and marzipan in the nose. Concentrated and layered, combining power with elegance, a serious ripe tannic structure and a long spicy finish. Highly recommended. — 4 years ago

Sanjay Swani

9.0

Had this at dinner with Richard and Christine Weaver. Excellent, light cab. Not too expensive. — 8 years ago