2025 Château Cantemerle

A FIRST - EXPECTED EARLY 2028

Winery Château Cantemerle

Château Cantemerle belongs to the historic Grand Cru Classés of the 1855 classification and is located in Macau, in the southern Haut-Médoc. The château has a history dating back to the twelfth century and is known for elegant Bordeaux with a refined structure and remarkable drinkability. In recent years, Cantemerle has invested heavily in quality, with a completely renovated wine cellar that will be operational from the 2025 vintage. The style remains true to its classic identity, but with more precision and terroir expression than ever before. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Château Cantemerle is situated in the southern Haut-Médoc, close to Margaux, on deep gravel soils with sand and clay in the subsoil. These terroirs ensure good drainage, aromatic finesse, and a classic Médoc structure. Cabernet Sauvignon, in particular, feels perfectly at home here, while Petit Verdot brings extra tension and spiciness. The 2025 vintage experienced warm, sunny conditions but remained remarkably balanced. Brief periods of rain and cool nights helped preserve freshness. According to the château, the vintage is characterized by intensity, precision, and balance, with the grapes achieving striking aromatic purity. The harvest took place between September 4 and 20 and yielded approximately 30 hl/ha, of which about 60% was selected for the Grand Vin.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The blend of Château Cantemerle 2025 consists of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the heart of the wine, providing structure, freshness, and length. Merlot brings roundness and suppleness, while Cabernet Franc adds refined aromatic tension. Petit Verdot plays a prominent role in this vintage, enhancing the floral expression and spiciness.

In 2025, the château used thermal cameras during the harvest to determine optimal ripeness plot by plot. Thanks to the new wine cellar with 114 vats, Cantemerle can vinify separately by plot more precisely than ever, which clearly increases the accuracy of the blend.

Harvest, vinification and aging

The harvest took place between September 4 and 20 under excellent conditions. Only optimally ripe grapes were selected. Thanks to the new cellar, the château was able to make full use of greatly expanded single-vineyard vinification for the first time.

Vinification took place in the new cuverie with 114 temperature-controlled vats, almost three times as many as before. This allows each plot to be vinified separately and tailored more precisely to the character of the fruit.

The wine subsequently ages for approximately twelve months in French oak barrels, of which about 35% are new. The influence of the wood remains deliberately supportive and focused on refinement, ensuring that the elegance and precision of the fruit remain central. Furthermore, the 2025 marks the first vintage produced entirely in the renovated wine cellar and is accompanied by a new label, symbolizing a new chapter for the château.

Color, smell and taste

The 2025 Château Cantemerle opens aromatically and remarkably refined, with intense floral notes of violets and iris, combined with blackcurrants, cassis, plums, and ripe dark cherries. As the wine opens up, subtle accents of graphite, wet stone, cedarwood, tobacco, and light spiciness emerge.

On the palate, medium to full-bodied in style, with a strikingly silky texture. The tannins are refined and almost creamy, while a lively core of dark fruit provides tension and energy. The combination of juiciness and classic Médoc structure is striking. Despite the concentration, the wine remains lean and precise, without excess.

Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon provide extra aromatic lift and structure, while subtle notes of cocoa, forest floor, herbs, and a light smokiness bring extra depth. The finish is long and harmonious, with a mineral, slightly saline grip that lingers beautifully. Several tasters call this one of the most refined and consistent primeur samples of the vintage.

What stands out most about the 2025 is the combination of accessibility and classic structure. Cantemerle remains recognizably Cantemerle, but with more precision, more layering, and a refinement that places some critics closer to Margaux's style.

Development and drinking window

The 2025 Château Cantemerle has good aging potential, but will be accessible relatively early thanks to its refined tannin structure. The wine already displays great charm in its youth, but possesses sufficient concentration and freshness to develop beautifully further.

Based on various professional assessments, a drinking window between approximately 2029 and 2050 seems likely. In the first few years, fruit and floral finesse dominate, after which more tertiary notes of cedar, cigar box, and forest floor will gradually develop.

Summary of professional reviews

95 points – Decanter: praises the silky texture, violets, precision, and striking consistency. 94 points – Jane Anson: emphasizes the classic Left Bank structure, elegance, and longevity. 93-95 points – Neal Martin, Vinous: describes the wine as more precise and refined than previous vintages, with floral notes and a beautiful sapidity. 93-94 points – James Suckling: praises the balance, concentration, and expressive fruit core. 91-93 points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous: emphasizes the depth, structure, and spicy Pauillac-like intensity. The full review texts can be found in the tab: Professional reviews.

Wine & Food Pairing and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.