Cantemerle 2016 (750ML)

94 JS / 93 WE / 92 VM / 92 DE

Plenty of menthol, blackberry and blackcurrant aromas in this elegant, medium-weight Haut-Médoc that’s got as much freshness as ripeness and a long, clean, mineral and herbal finish. An incredibly food-flexible wine! Drink or hold. - James Suckling

Well-integrated tannins give this wine a rich, velvet character that is underlined by the blackberry fruits. The aftertaste is dense, concentrated and rich. Drink from 2025. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

The 2016 Cantemerle has developed beautifully with élevage. Pliant, silky and exceptionally balanced, the 2016 has the pedigree and complexity to allow for a number of years of very fine drinking. Moreover, the 2016 delivers serious flavor intensity without being at all heavy. Smoke, iron and cedar add character to a Haut-Médoc that has a lot to offer. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Sweet fruit on the nose is joined by plum and touches of vanillin. It has a southern Médoc feel, with almost-jammy fruit and a gourmet, damson streak. Edgy tannins hold the appealing, generous fruit, and the acidity is pretty high, but that's a signature of the vintage. A blend of the two Cabernets, Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, aged for 12 months in oak, 40% new. Eric Boissenot consults. - Jane Anson, Decanter

The 2016 Cantemerle has a fresh bouquet of airy, floral black fruit; light violet scents emerge with time. The sorbet-fresh palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, and blood orange mingles with supple red fruit toward the graphite-infused finish. Delicious, classic and probably destined to age with class. Maybe a great value to boot? - Neal Martin, Vinous Media