Cantemerle - Haut-Médoc 2020

Vinous

86-86

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2025

The 2020 Cantemerle has a pastille-like bouquet that lacks the complexity of its peers. The palate is fleshy, ripe and grippy with plenty of red fruit, but nagging green notes poleaxe the finish. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Advocate

92

byWilliam Kelleythe4/6/2023

The 2020 Cantemerle has turned out well in bottle, offering up aromas of rich black fruits, plums, pencil shavings and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe, powdery structuring tannins and a nicely defined finish, it's generous and expressive while remaining classically proportioned.

Wine Spectator

88

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Leads with an overt toasted vanilla note that drapes over a core of friendly cherry and plum fruit, mixed with a licorice accent. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2026. 30,000 cases made.

Jeb DUNNUCK

91

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

I continue to love the wines from Cantemerle, which is located in the Haut-Médoc. The 2020 Château Cantemerle is deeply hued with lots of Bing cherry, tobacco, and cedary notes that flow to a medium-bodied, elegant, yet concentrated 2020 with fine tannins and a great finish. Another classic vintage from this estate, this beauty is going to evolve for 15+ years if well-stored.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Flowers, spice, black cherries, bitter chocolate, and a background note of espresso crowd into the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, vibrant, fresh and savory, with a core of sweet, ripe red fruits and touches of citrus and menthol that come in on the herbal-edged endnote. Drink from 2025-2043.

Wines Critic

94

byRaffaele Vecchionethe3/10/2023

Juicy and intense showing notes of lavender, wild violet, hyacinth and hibiscus. Full bodied, elegant and tasty showing a notable quality of material which immediately reveals itself with smoothness and personality. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Vinous

86

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Cantemerle comes across pretty much as it did from barrel. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum and sweet spice gives this a good bit of exuberance. I don't mind the very ripe style so much, but it is the lack of mid-palate and finish that is more problematic.

Vinous

88

byNeal Martinthe2/15/2023

The 2020 Cantemerle was very backward on the nose when I tasted it from bottle. Interestingly, I tasted two samples at different temperatures. The slightly warmer one is quite flamboyant, diametric to what I anticipated. The palate is quite powerful with a sweet core of blackberry and raspberry fruit, blood orange and cracked black pepper. Quite showy, though I would like to see more finesse and terroir expression on the finish.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/16/2023

Aromas of blackcurrants and kirsch with hints of dried blood orange, licorice and cocoa. Medium- to full-bodied with layers of well-integrated, finely polished tannins. Structured and toned with a fresh and lively fruit-forward palate, seasoned with spices and dried herbs. Lingering, chalky finish. Delicious now, but better after 2026.

Yvesbeck.wine

93

byYves Beckthe1/3/2023

Pourpre violacé. Très invitant ce bouquet ! Il affiche d'agréables notes de cerises et de cassis ainsi
que des nuances de graphite. En bouche le vin est élégant et compact. Ses tannins sont denses
mais pas envahissants et dotés d'un grain fin. Belle intensité aromatique jusqu'en fin de bouche.
Une belle réussite à Cantemerle ! 2025-2040

TASTED

91

byAndreas Larssonthe7/6/2021

Ripe nose offering darker fruit, bay leaf, mild oak and toast, fine extract with a tannic freshness, classic dense fruit and a long pure finish.

Vinous

85-87

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Cantemerle comes across as overripe and lacking in persistence. An initial burst of crème de cassis, blackberry jam and sweet oak fades pretty quickly. I expected more.

Vinous

86-88

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Cantemerle is tightly wound on the nose, requiring a lot of coaxing to reveal the blackberry, cedar and tobacco scents; a touch of iodine emerges with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black and red fruit, a light licorice touch on the back palate and a solid, slightly monochromatic finish. Hopefully this will develop more personality and race by the time of bottling, but given the potential of this fine estate, I was expecting more.

Decanter.com

93

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

This has the tight tannins of the vintage with damson and an edge of bitter dark chocolate, but it is a success all the same - confident, succulent, elegant and classic. Philippe Dambrine retires as director of the estate as of this vintage, replaced by Laure Canu from Château Angélus. A yield of 45hl/ha, 40% new oak, 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Dark, juicy cherries, bitter chocolate, savory herbs and a touch of espresso start the wine off. Medium-bodied, bright and energetic, with a lot of lift in the red fruits on the palate, this will age and develop nicely. 92-94

Wine Advocate

88-90

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Cantemerle reveals a great intensity and purity of blackcurrant cordial, stewed plums and black raspberry scents, plus hints of dried Provence herbs, Indian spices and woodsmoke. The medium-bodied palate delivers approachable chewy tannins and just enough freshness to support the savory-laced black fruit flavors, finishing with an herbal lift.

Anthocyanes

92-94

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Fruits frais, beau nez presque gourmand et de jolies notes de graphite. Bouche juteuse avec une texture charnue, de beaux tanins, des notes grillées et boisées avec une finale droite et fraiche. Un Cantemerle beaucoup moins austère que les années précédentes.

Falstaff

89-91

byPeter Moserthe5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Zart blättrig unterlegte schwarze Frucht nach Brombeeren und Kirschen, dezente Kräuterwürze, Orangenzesten. Mittlerer Körper, feines rotbeeriges Fruchtkonfit, zarte Süße, feine Tannine, insgesamt eher schlank, aber harmonisch, bereits gut entwickelt.

My Bettane + Desseauve

92

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/7/2021

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/23/2021

Lots or richness and fruit for this winery, showing blackberry, blackcurrant and dark-chocolate character. It’s full and layered. Well done.