Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend

2009 vintage. Patience! This needs a few hours to open up and show its true potential. Cassis, cedar wood, and flowers. Better the next day.

92-93 for me.

Consumed half bottle at pop, then corked for another 4hrs before consuming the rest. No change.

What a beautifully elegant and refined ‘09. The highest compliment I can give this is that it was a simplistic joy. Some wines make it easy to get nerdy and command your attention…some wines are underwhelming and not worth your time. This was squarely in the middle. It was a joy to not feel the need to overthink…it’s exactly what it should be. No bricking at almost 15yrs. Decidedly black fruit heavy (black currant, cassis, underripe blackberries) with a sprinkling of raspberries and black cherries. Aromas of sweet pipe tobacco, dark florals. Integrated on the palate with good structure and acidity…not a massive wine, but it put on a bit of weight/length the longer it was open. Still sporting a fair bit of tannin at the finish, but it’s balanced. Drink or hold.

Wonderful. Classic Bordeaux. A little green pepper and cigar box.

I remember tasting this en premieur in 2011 it almost seemed lush and fruit driven back then (which is a complete 180 if you know this chateau) now 13 years it’s true to form, bretty, austere and tannic. By no means do I dislike it but I was expecting something different based on what I tasted a decade ago. With that said, it is typical cantemerle with lots of green notes .

Pretty, effusive and in a great spot now for early drinking - but this will go some way yet! The nose is very Médoc and almost Pauillac-like, with very pure aromatics and a prominent iron/graphite streak. The wine itself is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, slightly zesty if not hugely concentrated, but well balanced and features a refreshing finish.

A nice Bordeaux and a bunch of mesquite-grilled lamb chops. This Cantemerle is quite dense and youthful. Color shows almost no sign of age. With air, nose slowly unfurls to show lots of graphite, menthol, tight cassis fruit, underbrush, and crushed rock. Medium bodied, the flavors are tight too, and there is nice concentration, but it’s mostly promise for the future. Tannins are nicely managed and there is good acidity. 9.2+

Tobacco, pyrazene, oak, graphite, blackcurrant, tart red and black fruits, pencil shaving. High acidity, elevated integrated tannins, medium body. Juicy fruit on mid palate. So I called it St Emilion…. 46% Cabernet Sauv, 36% Merlot, ?? Petit Verdot, …

Super expressive. Cigar box. Pretty pencil lead. Smooth tannins. Ridiculously good. 2010

Cantemerle is one of my favorite bargain Chateaus. Medium weight, woodsie (but not oaky), a little cocoa… good potential but doesn’t fully come together because of a diluted watery streak. Had the 2010 not long ago which was better.

Vintage 2009 | Classic Haut Medoc. Black colour 3/4 transparant. Autumn, leather, laurel in smell. Ripe summerfruit. Taste that has power, soft tannins, gets more velvety in the glass. Impressions of chocolate. Lovely. Paired with Guinea fowl, gnocchi, celeriac and truffle.