Château Cantemerle

History of Château Cantemerle

The history of Château Cantemerle dates back to the Middle Ages, with the first mention of the seigneury of Cantemerle as early as 1147. Originally, the property was part of the fortifications defending the banks of the Médoc. It was not until the 16th century that viticulture became the estate's main activity, when Jehan de Villeneuve acquired the property in 1579. 

Under the stewardship of the Villeneuve de Durfort family, who took possession of the château in 1600, the estate experienced a period of prosperity, particularly in the 19th century. At that time, Château Cantemerle distinguished itself not only by the quality of its wines, but also by viticultural innovations such as sulphuring trials in 1852 to combat powdery mildew. This prestige was crowned in 1855 when the estate was classified as a 5th Grand Cru Classé in the famous Bordeaux classification.

However, the end of the 19th century marked a difficult period for Cantemerle, struck by the phylloxera crisis and downy mildew. The estate was sold in 1892 to the Dubos family, but struggled to regain its former glory. It was not until 1981, with the acquisition by the mutual insurance company SMABTP, that Château Cantemerle began a process of renaissance. Since then, major investments have been made to modernise the facilities, replant the vines, and improve the quality of the wine, under the direction of key figures such as Philippe Dambrine (1993–2021) and today Laure Canu.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Cantemerle

The vineyard of Château Cantemerle extends over 95 hectares of deep gravels, an exceptional terroir for viticulture. These siliceous-gravelly soils, composed of pebbles, sand, and stones, allow the vines to benefit from perfect drainage, while the heat accumulated during the day is returned to the grapes at night, promoting optimal ripening. This unique terroir of the left bank is one of the secrets behind the complexity and elegance of Cantemerle's wines.

The vineyard is planted with the noble grape varieties of the Médoc: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

The average age of the vines is 35 years, with some Cabernet Sauvignon plantings reaching nearly 70 years old. These deep-rooted vines fully express the character of the terroir, producing grapes of remarkable concentration, particularly well suited to the production of complex and balanced wines.

Winemaking at Château Cantemerle

Winemaking at Château Cantemerle follows a meticulous process, combining tradition and modernity. The harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard to select the finest grapes. Vinification is performed separately for each plot, allowing the identity of each terroir to be preserved. The grapes are fermented in wooden, concrete, or stainless steel tanks, providing maximum flexibility for each batch.

Malolactic fermentation is carried out in tanks, and the wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 12 to 16 months, with a proportion of new wood ranging between 40% and 50%, depending on the vintage. This stage refines the tannins and gives the wine its silky texture and ageing potential. Once the ageing is complete, the wines are blended, clarified, and bottled at the château. This rigorous process ensures consistent quality, vintage after vintage.

The Cuvées of Château Cantemerle

Château Cantemerle produces two main cuvées, each representing a unique aspect of the estate.

Château Cantemerle - The Grand Vin

The estate's main wine, Château Cantemerle, accounts for approximately 70% of annual production. This wine is derived from old vines, with a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, offering an elegant and complex structure.  

Ageing carried out for 12 months in French oak barrels (35% new), then 4 months in tanks after blending.  

Château Cantemerle is distinguished by its aromas of ripe red fruits, subtle spicy and woody notes, and its beautiful freshness on the palate. The tannins are fine, promising excellent development with age. This wine is both digestible and refined, a perfect balance between power and elegance.  

Les Allées de Cantemerle - Second Wine

Les Allées de Cantemerle is the estate's second wine, produced mainly from young vines. This wine, more approachable than the Grand Vin, is characterised by a fruitier and more immediate style, ideal for earlier drinking.  

Ageing of 16 months in tanks for 50% of the volume, with the remainder in three-year-old barrels.  

More supple and fruity than the Grand Vin, Les Allées de Cantemerle is a charming wine with aromas of dark fruits, violet, and a discreet woody note. It is appreciated for its freshness and drinkability.

The Haut-Médoc, one of the prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux vineyard, is renowned for producing remarkable wines, particularly in its finest vintages. Among the most notable, one finds emblematic years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, which have left their mark on fine wine enthusiasts. Other exceptional vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, each recognised for its balance and depth. More recently, the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 continue this tradition, with particularly elegant and promising wines. These vintages offer an exceptional palette of flavours and longevity, reinforcing Bordeaux's reputation as a world reference for wines.

The Cinquièmes Grands Crus Classés offer a rich diversity of estates in the Médoc, reflecting the winemaking expertise of Bordeaux. In Pauillac, one finds renowned estates such as Château d'Armailhac, Château Batailley, Château Clerc Milon, Château Croizet-Bages, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse, Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Château Haut-Bages Libéral, Château Haut-Batailley, Château Lynch-Bages, Château Lynch-Moussas, Château Pedesclaux, and Château Pontet-Canet. In the Haut-Médoc, Château Camensac and Château Cantemerle stand out for their distinctive characteristics. In Margaux, Château Dauzac and Château du Tertre bring a touch of elegance, while Château Cos Labory from Saint-Estèphe completes this prestigious selection. Each of these estates reflects a unique facet of the Bordeaux terroir.

Château Cantemerle is today one of the jewels of the Haut-Médoc, combining tradition and modernity to produce wines of outstanding quality. With an exceptional terroir, rigorous viticultural practices, and talented management, the estate continues to evolve and captivate wine lovers from around the world. Whether it is the Grand Vin, powerful and refined, or the second wine, fruity and approachable, the wines of Château Cantemerle are an invitation to discover the full richness of the classified growths of the Médoc, at a most attractive quality-to-price ratio.