Exceptionally silky tannic frame, this is gourmet and mouthwatering, delivering raspberry and blackberry studded with white pepper, cedar and campfire smoke. Softly spoken and welcoming, not the most powerful 2009 but that is the charm of Cantemerle, with hints of Margaux typicity even if the estate is just on the outskirts of the appellation. Understated with a long finish, touch of cigar box and tobacco. These years were decisive in terms of the replantings coming into play, with an increased amount of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A one point upscore from the recent 2009/2010 retrospective, reflecting how much it stands out in the estate vertical. 40% new oak for ageing, Philippe Dambrine director.

Truffles and plums get things started. Combining classic styling, ripe, round, sweet fruits and soft tannins, the wine gets going on the palate, but lacks the length and consistency found in its younger brother, the 2010. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2009&wine=Chateau%20Cantemerle

In contrast to the hot and rustic personality of the 2010 Cantemerle, the 2009 is a superb example of this excellent terroir in a ripe and buxom vintage, and this wine is quite strong. The superb nose shows far more purity than its 2010 counterpart, wafting from the glass in a generous mélange of cassis, sweet dark berries, tobacco leaf, lovely, dark soil tones, cigar wrapper and a bit of smoky new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, plush and primary, with a fine core, ripe, chewy tannins and very good focus and grip on the long, youthful and very well-balanced finish. This is a lovely, broad-shouldered Cantemerle in the making, but give it plenty of time in the cellar to blossom. 2025-2075.

91+ Readers looking for the more ethereal elegant side of Bordeaux need search no further than Cantemerle one of the estates in the very southern end of the Medoc. Dense ruby/purple (nearly opaque) this wine offers up notes of lead pencil shavings spring flowers raspberries and black cherries. The wine is ethereal medium-bodied and by no means a blockbuster but long and intellectual. However the tannins are present and the wine is certainly capable of putting on weight with time in the bottle. Give it 3-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 25+ years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This broad fleshy style delivers toasty spice and tobacco notes up front followed by dark cocoa crushed plum and mulled blackberry fruit flavors. This really stretches out nicely in the glass with alluring dark fruit and a velvety feel. Drink now through 2017. -JM