Cantemerle - Haut-Médoc 2022

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

The aromas of violet, licorice almond, and herbal notes are exactly what I expect from Château Cantemerle, which has expertly redefined the classic character of Haut-Médoc. The fragrance is fresh and pure, while the palate is rich and round. Despite being from a dry, hot vintage, this wine demonstrates an unusually smooth and gentle profile. The tannins develop gradually on the palate, abundant in quantity but soft in texture. All its characteristics unfold immediately upon entry and continue to evolve throughout the entire tasting, offering a experience with full of potential.

Wine Advocate

92

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

The 2022 Cantemerle offers up attractive aromas of minty blackberries, blueberries and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, broad and ample palate that's layered and textural, with a rich core of fruit largely concealing plenty of youthfully firm structuring tannin. A blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, this is a strong effort for this estate, situated on fine gravel soils in the southern Médoc.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Lots of work going on at Cantemerle at the moment, and it's a classified estate to watch. Has a sense of energy, vivid black fruit, good lift, a Left Bank signature but at every point feels measured and finessed, without sacrificing concentration, ends with a kick of sweet damson. Don't expect the biggest shoulders of the 1855s estate, but this is great quality. Axel Marchal consultant, 40% new oak for ageing.

Decanter.com

95

byGeorgina Hindlethe3/7/2025

Delicately fragrant, with purple flowers, berry fruit and touches of exotic spices. Sleek and svelte on the palate, this has a calm confidence about it, the flavours driving in one line from start to finish. I love the chalky texture and the purity of fruit. Gentle, not pushed too hard,...

Jeb DUNNUCK

91

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

I always love the wine from this château and the 2022 Château Cantemerle is no exception, offering textbook Bordeaux notes of darker currants, leafy tobacco, cedarwood, and loamy earth. These carry to a medium-bodied, balanced, incredibly charming wine that has fine tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. It's going to round into form with 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 10-15 years thereafter. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 5% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Yvesbeck.wine

93

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot Beaucoup de finesse et de détails dans le bouquet de ce Cantemerle avec des nuances de myrtilles et de cassis complétées par des nuances de réglisse et d'épices douces. En bouche, le vin convainc par son caractère soyeux, élégant et compact. Il est doté d'une puissance mesurée, efficace, qui assure tenue et persistance. Un vin élégant et sapide que l'on pourra certainement approcher dans sa jeunesse, mais qui dispose également d'un bon potentiel de garde. 2026-2037 93/100

Vinous

90

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Cantemerle presents a relatively light but defined nose with notes of blackberry, wild hedgerow and a touch of undergrowth emerging with aeration. The medium-bodied palate features chewy tannins on the entry and a bit of rusticity, yet it offers a pleasant, lightly spiced finish. Could it have given me a little more? Maybe.

Jamessuckling.com

93

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Perfumed, with aromas of smoke, currants, grilled citrus, dried flowers and roasted herbs. Juicy and firm on the palate, with a medium to full body and a fruit-forward finish that shows herbal freshness at the end. Already approachable, but should get better in two more years.

Vinous

86

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Cantemerle is soft, fruity and not terribly exciting. Oak tannins clamp down on the mid-palate and finish, attenuating the fruit and overall persistence. This has not improved meaningfully with élevage and feels overripe and sweet. Tasted two times with consistent notes.

Decanter.com

94

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Clean and clear, immediately quite sleek and focused on the palate. Ripe and round but maintains direction from start to finish with succulence and supple fruit. Very lovely and very drinkable, clean and clear with balance and harmony. Dark fruit, cool freshness, mouthwatering acidity, slight graphite and flint touches and really well worked tannins. Impressive. Will be very enjoyable and easy to drink. Harvest 12-27 September. Ageing 12 months in French oak, 40% new, 40% one year old 20% two years old. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Alexandre Ma

92-94

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

The combination of violet, apricot kernel, and herbal scents is precisely what I was hoping for from Château Cantemerle, which has skillfully redefined the classic image of Haut-Médoc. Its aroma is refreshingly clear, while the taste is rich and sweet, defying the conventional expectations of a hot and dry vintage with its gentle temperament. The tannins gradually spread out across the mid-palate, plentiful in volume yet soft in texture. However, almost all of the wine's characteristics are revealed too fast on the entry of the palate, and it would be even more alluring if it could gradually bloom.

The Vintage Journal

88-89

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Medium deep crimson. Fresh cassis, plum, mulberry strawberry aromas wih hint vanilla/ nougat. Sweet supple, touch confectionary-like with strawberry pastille, mulberry fruits fine loosknit chalky/ cedar textures. Sweet fruited finish. Gentle vigour. (Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot domienat blend with small parcels of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. 35% new oak)

matthewjukes.com

16

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

91-93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Cantemerle bursts with bold notions of black cherry preserves and blackcurrant pastilles, followed by hints of bay leaves, fallen leaves, and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with fine-grained tannins and an energetic finish.

Yvesbeck.wine

92-94

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

De bonne intensité, le bouquet de Cantemerle révèle de classiques notes de baies noires, de framboises et d'eucalyptus. Une belle symbiose entre fraîcheur et maturité. L'attaque annonce un vin friand, de bonne densité. On n'a évité d'en faire trop et porté attention à l'harmonie. Le vin a une légère et agréable sucrosité ainsi que de la fraîcheur tandis que ses tannins offrent une bonne assise. Un Cantemerle élégant, gourmand et sapide. Je pense qu'il va encore gagner en dimension durant l'élevage, raison laquelle j'élargis la fourchette de notation.

Bettane & Desseauve

92-93

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Élégant et raffiné dans ses arômes et sa texture. Un des meilleurs de l’histoire encore trop méconnue de ce joli cru et un parfait rapport qualité-prix. Priorité pour l’amateur.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Currants, black cherries, flowers, mocha, and spearmint aromas open the wine. On the palate, the wine is supple, refined, elegant and creamy,. The fruits are soft, sweet, and fresh, leaving you with supple-textured, sweet cherries and spicy freshness in the finish. Drink from 2026-2045.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

The finest wine this estate has produced in some time is the 2022 Cantemerle, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that bursts from the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, violets, rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with an enveloping core of sweet, perfumed fruit framed by supple tannin, it concludes with a long, mouthwatering finish. The pH is a very healthy 3.6 this year, and yields were low at 29 hectoliters per hectare.

Jancis Robinson

16,5

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2023

Fragrant and floral. Fresh with a filigree finesse of tannin. Appetising fruit. Clean and long. Gentle hand on the tiller but deceptively structured all the same. Harmonious. Should be GV

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Currants, blackberries and hints of bark and forest floor. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Pretty balance to this.