The 2020 vintage shows Cantemerle at its best—refined, vibrant, and packed with character. Layers of juicy blackcurrant, kirsch, cocoa, and spice flow over polished tannins and a sleek, chalky finish. It’s structured and elegant now, but even better with time. Classic Haut-Médoc charm, effortlessly done.

JamesSuckling.com | JS 94
Published: Jan 5, 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.

Decanter | D 93
Published: Feb 1, 2023
Drink: 2024-2035

Lovely perfumed fragrance on the nose, ripe black fruits and scented flowers - Parma violets. Juicy and clean, this has lovely weight and texture, great acidity and juiciness with a delicate sweetness, but countered with cool, fresh, minty blackcurrants. Not trying too hard, still with some coolness - blue fruits, berries and black cherries with a clean texture. Sleek, well balanced. Lovely weight. Everything very well done here. Good drive, classic and well framed. Very easy to like.
Closure: Cork
Body: Medium
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 7% Cabernet Franc 58% Cabernet Sauvignon 29% Merlot

The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Apr 6, 2023
Date: 2025-2050

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.

Château Cantemerle saw substantial investments in the 1980s and since then has cruised along very happily—until now, with a new winery and cellar about to enter the construction phase. There are 98 hectares under vine, some 68% of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, at a density of 8,500 vines per hectare. Occupying a crescent around the château, the vineyards sit on Mindel gravels, and the terroir is rather homogenous, such that any given parcel has the potential to make it into the grand vin (the second wine is mostly derived from young-vine parcels). Farming is thoughtful, with minimal chemicals and cover crops employed to limit vigor in parcels planted with Merlot. In the last few years, almost one kilometer of hedges has been added, to enhance biodiversity. The air-pulse system was prototyped here, so that's the order of the day during vinification, and élevage employs moderate percentages of new oak.

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 16
Published: Jan 24, 2024
Drink: 2029-2035

Tasted blind. Very dark. Sweet and ripe, a bit like Ribena. Powerful, chewy and very primary in its fruit profile, with enough freshness, just needs time to mesh.

Cantemerle.com

The superb maturity of Cantemerle’s Cabernet Sauvignon is evident up front by its degree of concentration and complexity—the sign of a great Médoc wine. Before tasting this fine bottle, you’ll want to transfer it to a decanter an hour before serving. After this preparatory step you’ll discover the wine’s fuller aromatic richness: the bouquet expresses cherry, olive and tobacco notes, as well as hints of oak that are still somewhat present.
In the mouth, silky tannins launch a symphony of spicy, peppery and fruity flavors upon the palate that are of great quality and generously supported by a long, full softness. The finish is lengthy and lively, neither limp nor harsh. A well-constructed balance is the foundation which supports a structure of freshness, elegance, persistence, and a perfectly controlled power.