Château Cantemerle, 5eme Cru Classé, Haut Medoc,

Plenty of smoked cedar oak on the opening beats, this is full-throated in its extraction, but comes across as confident rather than too much, and as it softens the damson and black cherry fruits are attractive. A healthy 55hl/h yield, with 40% new oak.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Cantemerle opens with cedary / oak scents wafting over a cassis and baked blackberries core with suggestions of pencil lead, olives, and lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate is chewy with bright black fruits and an herbal lift on the finish.

The 2019 Cantemerle has a fruit-driven bouquet with opulent blackberry and blueberry fruit, certainly one of the most floral in the flight with pressed violets developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, fleshy and rounded, though I am looking for more tension and precision on the finish. This is a really fabulous Cantemerle that surely represents outstanding value. No excuse not to have this in your cellar. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.