Château Cantemerle 2019 is the grand vin of this sizeable Haut-Médoc estate, drawn from a 98-hectare vineyard on siliceous gravel with an average vine age around 40 years. The wine is Cabernet-led—Jeb Dunnuck reports a blend of “68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot,” and the bottling is listed at 13.5% alcohol. At the estate, fermentation is done parcel by parcel in stainless steel, followed by about a year in French oak (the château cites 35% new), then additional time resting in tank before bottling.
In the glass, reviewers converge on a classic Left Bank profile: currant and cassis fruit, cedar and tobacco, and a distinctly floral edge. William Kelley (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate) notes “rich berry fruit, licorice, cedar, violets and loamy soil,” with “lively acids and powdery tannins.” Neal Martin (Vinous) calls it “one of the most floral in the flight with pressed violets,” backed by “opulent blackberry and blueberry fruit” and “very supple tannins.”
The top reviews are notably strong. James Suckling scores it 95 and emphasizes both structure and freshness: “full and layered with polished, chewy tannins and a bright and fresh finish… Very long and focused,” recommending patience (“Best after 2026”). Decanter also rates it 94, highlighting a “smooth” and “well defined” mouthfeel, a “concentrated core,” and balance “with succulence,” calling it “a great value pick.” Wine Enthusiast’s early assessment (93–95) likewise points to a “richly structured wine… balanced by ripe black fruits,” with “fine acidity and freshness.”
A few notes suggest it is best with a little time: Kelley mentions it “shut down a little after bottling… but it is beginning to bounce back,” while Dunnuck and Jeff Leve both advise short cellaring. Overall, 2019 Cantemerle offers a traditional Médoc set of aromas, polished tannins, and convincing length, with several critics flagging it as particularly strong value in the vintage.
