Château Cantemerle 2025

Château Cantemerle lies in the AOC Haut-Médoc in the southwest of Bordeaux, between Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne and Blanquefort. The region's warm, humid climate is bathed in sunlight with good air circulation, and its soils are diverse, dominated by gravel and silica. This blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The free-draining gravel forces the vine roots deep and stores warmth that ripens the late Cabernet, while reflecting light back into the canopy; the result is the firm tannin and red-fruited freshness typical of the Médoc. The wine ages twelve months in French oak barrels, where measured oxygen transfer through the wood rounds the tannins and adds restrained cedar and spice rather than heavy toast. The colour is deep and bright ruby. The nose offers red currant and cherry with cedar, tobacco and a touch of earth. The palate is medium to full bodied, the tannins fine grained and savoury, the acidity keeping it fresh through a cedary, gently peppery finish. Serve at 17 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast lamb and beef and earthy mushroom dishes.