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. — 5 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, spices, oak, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, light earth, light vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf and black pepper.

Medium finish with grippy tannins and raspberries.

This 15 year old, Fifth Growth Bordeaux, is still young and tight. Needs 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.

I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter, but it probably was not enough.

Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Grippy and rich.

Definitely needs food at this point, like a big piece of steak.

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$125. — 2 years ago

Pooneet K

9.4

So seamless and delicious. We had 3 forty year olds at dinner so this was a birth year wine for the majority of our dinner. Last had a couple years ago, and this remains very good. Not primary, but also wouldn’t guess 40 years old. Really nice pairing with a roast leg of lamb on Christmas. — a month ago

Jason Bowman

9.5

Vinho Branco 2021 - very good, smooth buttery mouthfeel but still has a crisp taste. Strong enough to go with spicy meaty dishes even for a white. — a year ago

Jennifer Memmolo

9.3

lychee and red berries — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Ephraty Estate Winery Raz 2009, Israel

Beautiful ruby in color with a very wide reddish/ brick rim.

Beautiful nose of blueberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, figs, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, spices, turmeric, eucalyptus and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cherries, oak, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, wet leaves, vinaigrette and soy sauce.

Long tangy finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This 13 year old Israeli red blend is still drinking very nicely. Easy drinking with nice complexity and a gorgeous nose.

I chose not to decant it, and it didn't last for more than 90 minutes. On its last leg, but still delicious.

Thank you oren for sharing this with me.

A great sipping wine. Good by itself or with food.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carignan. Aged in American oak barrels for 25 months. Unfiltered.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

93 points. — 3 years ago

Daniele Cuzin

9.2

Had the 2008 vintage for Christmas 2025. Matured perfectly and a great pleasure to drink. Paired with duck leg confit. — a month ago

Mike Obley

9.3

Wow, this was still drinking very well. Could go on for several more years! — 6 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Pretty color of ruby with a wide reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Showing black currants, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, herbs, vegetables, light wood, licorice, coffee, light cola, vegetables and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This beautiful 24-year-old Bordeaux from the great 2000 vintage seems still young, although decanted for 4 hours.

Elegant and powerful. Rich, yet subdued. I loved the nose, that showed lots of wild flowers.

Wine Spectator 91 points. Robert Parker 92 points.

This Fifth growth is nicely balanced with nice complexity at this point. Still needs a few more years in the bottle to mature properly.

I've had many vintages of this wine, and so far the 2009 was my favorite.

Good by itself and better with food. Paired nicely with dried meats and cheeses.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$150. — 2 years ago

Ellen trappey

9.2

Really delicious. — 5 years ago