hateau Cantemerle is a fifth growth Bordeaux estate in the Haut-Medoc which has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. It had been under ownership of the Villeneuve de Durfort family for over three hundred years until it was sold by Jeanne Armande to the Dubos family in 1892.

The Dubos family managed the estate until it was sold in 1981 to the SMABTP group. Many parcels of vines were pulled up during the war and the difficult years of 1930-1940, leaving only 20 hectares planted on the estate’s 70 hectares of vineyard land.

Cantemerle was a property in distress after a long period of difficulties, thus, renovation of the technical facilities and replanting of the vineyard was undertaken in successive steps. Thirty-five hectares of land which had lain fallow for almost 50 years were planted within 2 years and by 1987, the vineyard had grown to 60 hectares. Now, 144 years later, Cantemerle had returned to its original size at the time of the 1855 classification—90 hectares.

The unique soil and microclimate are reflected in the wine's personality. Cantemerle has a brilliant color, a powerful bouquet, and a soft, lively flavor. It is rare to find such refined fruitiness. This great wine can be enjoyed young, when it is charming, fruity, and marked by a vanilla taste which comes from well-integrated oak. This makes Cantemerle an ideal choice for the modern wine drinker who likes fresh tannins.

However, it can also age extremely well. Fine, old vintages have impeccable class, with incomparable flavors of sheer elegance. Cantemerle therefore belongs to that rare category of the world's wines which can not only age, but also improve over several decades.

The 2016 Cantemerle is a Bordeaux Blend from the Haut-Médoc region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by Cantemerle, is sealed with a cork and carries an alcohol content of 13.0%. The vintage is noted for its complexity and balance, making it a notable choice for both immediate consumption and cellaring.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate scored the 2016 Cantemerle at 92 points. Reviewer Neal Martin noted that the wine has "a tightly wound bouquet" with "attractive undergrowth scents and a touch of tobacco." He highlighted its medium body, supple tannin, and good depth of fruit, particularly blackberry laced with cedar and graphite. Martin's review was mixed, mentioning that while some samples lacked precision, others showed more tension and definition.

James Suckling awarded the wine 94 points, describing it as having "plenty of menthol, blackberry and blackcurrant aromas." He praised its balance of freshness and ripeness, and its "long, clean, mineral and herbal finish." Suckling emphasized its versatility as a "food-flexible wine" suitable for drinking now or holding for future enjoyment.

Wine Enthusiast gave the 2016 Cantemerle a score of 93. The review highlighted the wine's "well-integrated tannins" and "rich, velvet character," underlined by blackberry fruits. The aftertaste was described as "dense, concentrated and rich," with a recommended drinking window starting from 2025.

Vinous, also reviewed by Neal Martin, rated the wine at 91 points. The review noted a "fresh bouquet of airy, floral black fruit" with light violet scents. The palate was described as "medium-bodied with supple tannin," featuring blood orange and supple red fruit towards a graphite-infused finish. Martin deemed it "delicious, classic and probably destined to age with class."

Decanter scored the wine 92 points, noting "sweet fruit on the nose joined by plum and touches of vanillin." The wine was described as having a "southern Médoc feel" with "almost-jammy fruit and a gourmet, damson streak." The tannins were termed "edgy," and the acidity was described as "pretty high," reflecting the vintage's signature.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded the wine 93 points, highlighting its "medium/full-bodied, fresh, crisp" profile filled with "sweet, bright, red cherries and juicy, crunchy cassis." He noted a hint of mint on the nose and expressed confidence in the wine's aging potential.

In summary, the 2016 Cantemerle is a well-regarded Bordeaux Blend with notable scores from various reviewers, praising its rich fruit profile, balanced tannins, and aging potential.