Château Cantemerle 2014

The 2014 Cantemerle has a classic bouquet with cedar and graphite notes that needs to develop more fruit. It is focused but just needs more intensity. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins on the entry. Clean red-berry fruit here with moderate weight, leading to a slightly chewy finish that will hopefully gain more nuance and personality with time. To be honest, I was expecting a little more considering the vintage.

Bright and racy, with red currant and plum fruit lined with a lively streak of iron that runs through the finish. A touch taut, but should unwind nicely with modest cellaring. Best from 2018 through 2024. 33,335 cases made.

Lovely floral red and black fruits with fine clarity and depth. This château has really come into its own and 2014 suits it perfectly; a lovely wine.

I like the floral character, which highlights the aromas of currants and berries. Full-bodied with a firm, tight core on the palate. Silky tannins and a savory, creamy-textured finish. A beautifully balanced red. Try in 2021, but it’s already gorgeous to taste.

A wine of notable precision, persistence and class, the 2014 Cantemerle is outstanding. Sweet tobacco, licorice, red cherry and dried savory herbs are some of the signatures. Medium in body and lively, the 2014 captures the best attributes of the year. This is a positively stellar showing.

Medium-bodied, fresh, soft, forward, with spicy, kirsch, smoky and floral notes—a charmer that already drinks well. With luck, some cellaring could add a bit more weight to the wine.

Bright garnet with medium density, fine rim. Scents of cedar and wild strawberries, with delicate leafy notes behind. On the palate, pleasant, slightly candied on the one hand, while also showing tangy fruit notes. Not as bad as expected, but not as good as a Grand Cru should be.

Light, red-berry bouquet with red cherries and wood. Light, firm palate with little sweet fruit, sandy tannins, slender structure, light finish. 16/20 2019 - 2030

Subtle, balanced and finessed, with a touch of smoked caramel, gourmand raspberry fruit, orange peel, crayon and rose bud. This is appealing and easy to approach, ready to drink now but will continue to deliver for another decade, showcasing the quiet consistency of the estate. 40% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant, Philippe Dambrine estate director.

The 2014 Cantemerle is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. Notes of mint jelly and kirsch pop from the glass, leading to suggestions of baked plums, fruitcake, and cinnamon toast. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers plenty of mint-laced red fruit with plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing with good length. Tasted blind with the Southwold Group in London in February 2024.

It tightens slightly; the palate is straight, with lovely sap. A medium-powered wine that leans into drinkability.

The nose is discreet, and so is the wine. The texture is polished, medium-bodied, balanced, suave, without rough edges, yet with good density.

Ruby red with purple highlights. A truly beautiful bouquet, intense and complex. Notes of black tea, malt, and blond tobacco. As it opens up, I find spicy notes and dark fruit with a confit-like touch. Silky attack, fruity and slightly gourmand. The wine has body and pedigree, thanks to a structure that brings freshness, and powerful tannins. They are perfectly integrated and promise a bright future. An exceptional wine that needs time to blossom and shows real density. We are not far from 95 points… one to watch closely.

Beautiful dark, purple color. Fruity, vanilla-scented, ripe nose. Well-structured palate with a gentle attack, a present mid-palate, and a finish with wrapped tannins. Good length with a lively touch, yet without any harsh tannins.

91–93. Barrel Sample. While the wine does have a strongly dry element, it also has a creamy, black currant background that shows promise for the future. With great acidity offering freshness, this wine will balance well.