Château Cantemerle 5ème Cru Classé, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016

Viticulture

Cantemerle's vineyard is situated on fine and deep gravel in the Macau and Ludon villages of the Haut-Médoc appellation. A rich variety of factors produce complex, balanced, and refined wines which reflect the exceptional nature of Cantemerle's terroir. Cantemerle soil is a mixture of silica and gravel. The gravels, which appeared as a result of thousand-year-old erosion of the Pyrenees by the river Garonne, form one of the fundamental elements of a quality vineyard. They form poor soils where the vines "struggle" to give rise to grapes with high concentration. Besides this, the small pebbles in the soil fulfil the role of a filter and actively contribute to grape maturity by reflecting the sun's rays and, during the night, retaining the heat soaked up in the day.

Winemaking

The grapes are handpicked and sorted with the greatest of care. Grapes from each separate plot are fermented separately in large oak vats, allowing for slow, gentle extraction of the tannins. The wine is aged in barrels for twelve months and then fined before bottling at the château.

Tasting Note

Probably one of the most beautiful Cantermerles of the decade, showing great potential. This is a powerful wine with an almost black colour, and still developing great aromatic complexity. Its opulence entirely covers the palate, with a clean and lively finish full of freshness.

Food matching

Roast beef and wild mushrooms