Château Cantemerle 1998

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Château Cantemerle 1998

Tasting Notes

Appearance
The colour reveals an intense, deep red, evolving towards garnet hues with tawny reflections characteristic of its maturity.

Nose
The bouquet gains complexity upon aeration, revealing aromas of black and red fruits interwoven with tertiary notes of undergrowth, blond tobacco, fine leather and sweet spices, over a well-integrated woody base evoking cedar.

Palate
The attack gives way to a supple, dense texture. The structure proves very long, supported by silky, smooth tannins, all carried by a lovely freshness through to the finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with tender roasted or braised meats such as rack of lamb, beef fillet or duck breast. It also perfectly complements mushroom-based dishes, such as a porcini risotto, as well as aged hard cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate this 1998 vintage, it is recommended to stand the bottle upright for a few hours before serving, then decant it delicately for thirty minutes to an hour. The ideal serving temperature is between 17 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve favourably for two to three decades after its harvest year.

The Elegance of a Fifth Growth from the Haut-Médoc Committed to Biodiversity

The Estate

With its first winegrowing traces dating back to 1354, Château Cantemerle is a historic estate located in Macau and Ludon, on the outskirts of Bordeaux. Classified as a fifth growth in 1855, the property has belonged to the SMABTP insurance group since 1981. Now managed by Laure Canu, the estate stands out for its exceptional environmental commitment, devoting nearly half of its land to preserved nature. This growth thus combines a rich architectural and landscape heritage with a modern vision centred on biodiversity.

The Vineyard

Spanning nearly 98 hectares within the Haut-Médoc appellation, the vineyard is planted on fine, deep gravel soils known as günzian gravels. These siliceous-gravelly terrains, particularly well-drained and warm, provide ideal rooting conditions. The vines, around thirty years old and planted at a high density of 9,600 vines per hectare, are set within a rich ecosystem, surrounded by woodland and ecological corridors that support local flora and fauna.

The Vintage

The year was marked by contrasting weather conditions in the region, requiring rigorous attention in the vineyards. Thanks to meticulous work and precise selection, the grapes achieved a fine balance, offering optimal ripeness for the Cabernets and a satisfactory health status.

Winemaking and Ageing

Following hand-harvesting that allowed for rigorous sorting of the bunches, extraction was carried out gently to preserve the finesse of the fruit. Ageing takes place in Bordeaux barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak, refining the tannic structure while bringing an aromatic complexity that blends harmoniously over time.

Grape Varieties

This wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (8%) and Petit Verdot (5%).