94-96 WE / 94 JS / 93 DE / 93 JA / 92 WA / 92 WCI / 91 JD / 91 FS / 90 WI / 16.5 JR
Barrel Sample. This fine estate has produced a powerful, rich wine that has fine potential. Solid, foursquare with dense tannins that will gracefully meld into the fruit, the wine should age well. — Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
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. -James Suckling
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. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter
Ruby red colour, bursting with brambled fruit, these are young and still closed down tannins, trace of chalkiness, opening to show cassis and blueberry fruit, sleek and pretty. Attractive austerity in this wine gives this a savoury quality, medium bodied, with cocoa bean and mint left on the finish. Tasted twice, love the aromatics after a good few hours of opening. 45hl/ha yield, 40% new oak. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
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. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
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.-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider
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. - Jeb Dunnuck
Dark ruby, purple reflections, opaque core, a soft brightening on the rim. Subtle hints of liquorice and orange zest, hints of cherries and nougat. Taut, red berries, fresh acidity, vivid tannins, mineral and salty, subtle nougat on the finish, subtle notes of spice, versatile.-Peter Moser, Falstaff
The 2020 Cantemerle is deep garnet-purple in color. It features notes of cassis and black raspberries, with suggestions of tobacco, wild sage, and fragrant soil. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers cedar-laced black and red berry flavors, with a light chewiness to the texture and a refreshing, minerally finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent
Dark purple crimson with black core. Distinctive aroma that brings together not just cassis and damson but also the more lifted scent of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Gently leafy (not unripe) and with a light floral note like peony. Really pretty. On the palate, darker fruited but also with a marked dark-chocolate-like sweetness. Smooth, chewy tannins. Lots of flavour and a fruit and oak sweetness on the finish (though of course it is as dry wine), as well as the more savoury side from the dry tannins. Well integrated even now. - Jancis Robinson