“This is definitely a major sleeper of the vintage and even better than I thought from barrel. With its 2010, this classified growth located in the southern end of the Medoc may well have made a modern-day version of their legendary 1949.” -Robert Parker
They say the younger generations aren’t drinking Bordeaux, which is a good thing for older generations as the price increases for top quality Médoc wines has been drastic over the last decade.
For the already-initiated who appreciate a fine bottle of claret with a long and elegant dinner, finding a bottle that’s ready to drink, let alone within a reasonable price range, has become the hardest part of being a Bordeaux fan. Luckily, however, we’ve grabbed another parcel of what we believe is one of the best drinking Cabernets in the world right now for under $100.
The 2010 Château Cantemerle is a true luxury within reach.
Cantemerle is not only one of the most affordable of the classified Médoc growths, it's one of the best values in Bordeaux—period. Tucked in between Margaux and Pessac-Léognan, the property has quietly created one of the most consistent, approachable, and quality-oriented programs over the last three decades under the stewardship of its humble and pensive director Philippe Dambrine. Down-to-earth, yet serious in its focus, Cantemerle has been the “insider’s Bordeaux” for wine retailers and sommeliers for over 25 years now.
We’ve placed the 2010 Cantemerle into numerous blind tastings against higher-rated Bordeaux properties at double and even triple the price and the wine always comes out at the top of the pack. With over a decade of maturity at this point, the secondary notes are present and the plump fruit from the ripe year has melded beautifully with the powerful tannins that were a trademark of the vintage.
If you need a beautiful bottle for dinner this weekend, we’ve got you covered. But you don’t have to take our word for it:
2010 Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc $69.99
94 POINTS: ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE - The wine needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 30 more years, but this is the finest Cantemerle I have encountered in my professional career of tasting young vintages (dating back 34 years now). Stunningly deep ruby/purple, with a beautiful nose of spring flowers intermixed with perfumed raspberry and blueberry notes, it exhibits a sort of cool-climate character. Broad, rich and intense on the palate, the wine has plenty of tannins, but they are sweet and well-integrated. Everything is delicately entwined into this beautiful, medium to full-bodied, dense purple wine, which shows stunning character and a prodigious potential for development. This is definitely a major sleeper of the vintage and even better than I thought from barrel. With its 2010, this classified growth located in the southern end of the Medoc may well have made a modern-day version of their legendary 1949.
93 POINTS: VINOUS - The 2010 Cantemerle is vigorous and open on the nose, a mixture of red and black fruit with cedar and humidor scents. I admire the focus and detail. The palate is rounded in texture on the entry. This is a plumper, richer, more fruit-driven 2010 with a lush finish on the context of the growing season. You could broach this now, although I would prefer to leave it another three or four years. This is another excellent wine and candidate for most over-performing cru this vintage.