Chateau Cantemerle

Chateau Cantemerle, located in the communes of Macau and Ludon-Medoc, is a Cinquième Cru Classé that was designated as a great growth in the famous 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines. Despite some controversy surrounding its absence from the classification map featured at the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris, it has been listed on all maps published after 1855. Its long history in the Haut-Médoc can be traced back to at least the 12th century.

The estate's vineyards cover 94 hectares of sand and gravel soils that can be divided into three sections, each with unique terroir characteristics. Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (6%), and Petit Verdot (4%) are planted with the best terroir located close to the chateau in the northwest direction where Cabernet Sauvignon thrives.

Under the guidance of consultant oenologist Eric Boissenot, the wines of Chateau Cantemerle undergo 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels, of which 40% are new. Vinification takes place in a combination of wood, stainless steel, and cement vats, with malolactic fermentation occurring in vat. The estate also produces a second wine, Les Allees de Cantemerle.

With approximately 400,000 bottles of Chateau Cantemerle and 160,000 bottles of Les Allees de Cantemerle produced each year, the estate continues to be a notable producer in the Haut-Médoc region of Bordeaux.

The best vintages are 1989, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019. James Suckling rated the 2019 95 points.