Chateau Cantemerle - Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot (15)

47% Cabernet Sauvignon 38% Merlot 6% Petit Verdot 9% Cabernet Franc | Silica and gravel soils | Average age of vines : 30 years | total destemming | fermentation: 6-8 days at 26 -28°C | maceration: 28 -30 days | ageing for 12 months in french oak barrels (medium toast) which 40% are new | verfijnd | klassiek Médoc

Review

The 2014 Cantemerle has a sweet and candied bouquet with crushed strawberry, cherry liqueur, orange zest and just a light touch of cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, moderate acidity, hints of pencil lead and black pepper with quite a solid finish that needs to develop more terroir expression and finesse. However, I feel that there is potential here. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 88/100 Neil Martin