Château Cantemerle

Château Cantemerle is a winery in the Haut-Médoc appellation of the Bordeaux wine region of France, in the commune of Macau. The wine produced here was the final estate to be classified as one of eighteen Cinquièmes Crus (Fifth Growths) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. The estate has a long history in the Haut-Médoc with records detailing its existence since at least the 12th century and wine production since at least the 14th century. In the 19th century, the estate was hard hit by the phylloxera epidemic as well as grapevine attacks of downy mildew, after which production dropped nearly 50%. Towards the end of the 20th century, the estate was sold to French insurance group Les Mutuelles d'Assurance du Bâtiment et des Travaux Public who have contributed significant investment in the estate's vineyards and winemaking facilities.

Big, rich and ripe, complex layers of intense black currant fuits, balanced by a lovely bracing acidity and a sweet, almost toffee-like oak character. There is elegance in bundles here, but also shows the recent Cantemerle form of making richer, deeper, more powerful and age-worthy wines.

Great paired with duck breast with bacon, cabbage and balsamic dressing.

12 months in barrel – 40% new, 40% 1 year and 20% 2 year followed by a further 4 months in vat.

12 months in barrel – 40% new, 40% 1 year and 20% 2 year followed by a further 4 months in vat.