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 2005 Cantemerle Bordeaux Blend from Haut Medoc is a red wine that has garnered impressive reviews for its elegance and complexity. With an alcohol content of 13.0%, this vintage stands out in the Bordeaux region for its balanced and refined character.

Wine Spectator awarded this wine a score of 90, noting its "blackberry and plum skin aromas with hints of vanilla" and describing it as "medium- to full-bodied with soft velvety tannins and a pretty fruity aftertaste." Wine Spectator emphasizes the wine's elegant balanced style, suggesting it is best enjoyed after 2012.

James Suckling gave the wine an excellent review with a score of 93, praising its "wonderful depth and complexity on the nose with blueberries, fresh flowers and hints of stones." He highlights its full body and "ultra-refined tannins" that contribute to a "long, long finish." Suckling suggests that while the wine is gorgeous now, it will continue to improve over time.

Jeff Leve, also scoring it at 90, describes the wine as having a "delicate aroma of flowers, black raspberries, spice, and earth," and notes its pure elegance. He mentions that it's a softer wine, not for those seeking powerful flavors, and considers it his favorite vintage of Cantemerle since 1989.

Jane Anson awarded another excellent score of 93, emphasizing that the wine is "really coming into its own" with aromas of rose bud, chalk, bilberry, cocoa bean, and tobacco. She notes its structured tannins and suggests decanting for three hours before drinking to fully appreciate its character.

In summary, the 2005 Cantemerle is celebrated for its elegance, complexity, and refined tannins, making it a noteworthy choice for those who appreciate a well-balanced Bordeaux.