Château Cantemerle Haut-Médoc 5. Cru Classé 2017

Decanter

Rich plum colour, 20% down on volume due to frost but still delivering plenty of damson fruit on the nose. This feels slick and well extracted, with smoked grilled notes from oak. Dark fruits, extremely polished, not as concentrated as some vintages so no need to wait too long, but this really manages to deliver polished fruit and an overall enjoyable experience. 40% new oak.

James Suckling

Barley, walnut-shell and blackberry character. Full body. Chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. A little lean and tight now and needs some time to soften.

Vinous

A real sleeper, the 2017 Cantemerle has turned out beautifully. Cedar, sweet tobacco, menthol, licorice and incense add pretty aromatic top notes in this super-refined Haut-Médoc. More than anything else, the 2017 stands out for its exceptional balance and alluring personality. This is a terrific showing.

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Floral in nature, the fruit is ripe, crisp and even a bit sharp, but the tannins are soft and there is a lot of juicy, sweet fruit in the medium bodied, berry-filled finish.

Tastingbook.com

Wine Enthusiast

Dry tannins and juicy fruit give this wine its structure while also bringing out the freshness of the vintage. There is a fine, juicy character that is already attractive.