wine bottle

2016 Chateau Cantemerle

By Chateau Cantemerle

2016 Chateau Cantemerle from Chateau Cantemerle, Haut-Medoc, Bordeaux, France

As an emblem of refinement in the Haut-Medoc appellation, the 2016 vintage of Chateau Cantemerle from Chateau Cantemerle imparts a masterclass in harmonious contrast. Amidst a portfolio that has cultivated esteem for generations, the 2016 iteration emerges as a testament to the meticulous vinification processes and climatic serendipity that typifies this storied estate.

 

A Season of Serendipity

The narrative of the 2016 vintage in Bordeaux is one of initial trepidation culminating in triumph, a story that the terroir at Chateau Cantemerle articulates with aplomb. A tempered start to the growing season gave way to an idyllic summer, forging berries resilient in skin and generous in aroma. This serendipitous transition bestowed upon the 2016 Chateau Cantemerle a structured elegance, marked by ripe tannins and an exuberant freshness that speaks to the splendid conditions of late.

 

A Tapestry of Taste

In the glass, this nuanced wine weaves a tapestry of dark fruits with hints of cassis and violet underlying a subtle, savoury spice. Delicate wisps of oak-derived cedar merge with more profound graphite notes, creating a depth and complexity that is at once discernible yet gracefully restrained. The palate reveals an unrivalled layered texture, a salient characteristic of the 2016 vintage's slow-paced maturation.

For connoisseurs and wine investors alike, the precise balance of acidity and tannins assures that this embodiment of Haut-Medoc sophistication will mature gracefully over the coming decades. It finds itself comfortably ensconced in the category alongside Bordeaux's most accomplished performers from this heralded year.

 

Investment-Worthy Merit

The 2016 Chateau Cantemerle is not merely a beverage; it’s an opportunity—a compelling narrative captured within each bottle, inviting both sensory pleasure and investment contemplation. Its delineated structure and potential for development magnify its appeal to those seeking to diversify portfolios with vintages marked by distinct resilience.

In conclusion, as we journey onwards through the ever-evolving terroirs of Bordeaux, the 2016 Chateau Cantemerle stands as one distinguished reference point on this perennial voyage. It encapsulates the resilience and reward inherent in fine wine investment, offering an exemplar vintage for collectors to cherish and relish for years to come.

Current market price

$390.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

16

Scores and tasting notes

94-95

Dense and chewy already with plenty of ripe tannins and bright fruit. Vivid acidity. Full body, a firm and silky texture and a flavorful finish. Lots going on. Excellent follow-up to the great 2015!

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 4th 2017

88-91

Lively cherry and bitter plum fruit streaks through, laced with fine chalky tannins. Picks up iron and savory hints on the finish.—J.M.

Wine Spectator - The Wine Spectator (James Molesworth)

89

Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cantemerle offers up warm plums, black cherries and mulberries with an earth and bay leaves undercurrent. The palate is medium-bodied with just enough fruit and pleasantly chewy tannins, finishing with an herbal lift.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 30 November 2018

15.5

Quite pungent with treacly notes on the nose. Fairly light and soulless - not to say a little fruitless. Green notes on the end.

Jancis Robinson - jancisrobinson.com

Vintage performance