This wine is not complex. But it’s a good wine for the price. Some earth and red fruit is definitely noticeable. There’s not much tannins left so I don’t see this wine improving but I think this wine could last at this stage for at least a few more years.
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PnP'd one bottle (magnum) and it felt thin for the first hour. Decanted a different bottle the following day for a few hours and it showed fuller. So I do suggest a decant at this point.
Tannins are fully resolved. Classic but slightly muted Cantemerle flavors and aromas of blackberry, leather, a touch of cedar and the like.
Not a particularly great vintage for Cantemerle due to lacking a bit of acidity/back bone but still a pleasant wine to drink now.
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Four years on from my last note on this wine (and my last bottle of a six pack bought on release), and somewhat amazingly a transformation has occurred and the wine seems definitely a couple of points better than before. A perfect cork opens up a wine with bright cherry on the nose along with more developed spice and just a touch of green. Overall this is a pleasantly mature Bdx offering a harmonious experience.
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Tastes like a lovely Bordeaux, but with the volume turned down.
Dark garnet core with a watery rim. Aromas are quite fruit forward, straddling the line between red and black. Quite nice, actually. The flavor profile in the mouth is rather young. Like the nose, flavors are primarily fruit: sweet red cherry and blackberries. Some of that good ole Bordeaux graphite is present as well, and on day two, a touch of cocoa appears on the finish. But the acidity is medium-low, and the tannins, while present, are rather light; all rather surprising given the otherwise youthful flavors.
Overall, the nose and flavors are on point for L Bank Bordeaux, but the intensity of flavor is just not there. It's almost as if the bottle was 90% wine and 10% water. Kind of disappointing. Maybe the mediocre vintage? Given the fruit-forward profile, I'd love to say that this just needs more time. However, the low acidity and nearly resolved tannins lead me to doubt whether this wine will last more than a few more years before starting to decline. Pop it now for a B/B+ experience, or hold onto the bottle for a few more years and roll the dice? Up to you.
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Very tight at initial opening, Decanted 1 hour, still felt like it had more but it never really blossomed, lacked the intensity and acidity I was expecting. Definite Black Cherry, wet earth, cedar and tobacco notes but relatively thin mid-palate and beyond.
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Decanted for two hours. Dark, dusty fruits with graphite and cedar on the nose - still quite closed. Slightly thin palate, dark fruits, tomato leaf and other vegetal characteristics .
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Deep garnet. Black plums, blackberries, almond nose. Medium bodied, well integrated tannins. Some spice, dried fruits and a little sweetness on the palate. Still drinking well, probably hasn’t improved over the last 18 months but should continue to drink well for 5+ years.
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It started out showing the deficiency of the vintage. It gradually filled up and turn to a fine claret. It is okay to drink now, but I feel time will certainly help.
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A 5th Growth Bordeaux but not a great vintage. 47% Cab Sauv, 43% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Excellent fruit but lacking in structure and tannins and near the end of it's best drinking window. On the palate cherry and earthy notes, black fruits, and some leather.
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Viel tegen. Vlak na openen smaken van zuivel, droge tannines en heel erg hoog in de zuren. Na 3 uur decanteren opende de wijn iets. Mooie neus van casis, natte grond en iets van salmiak. Smaken: aards en te veel leer, donker fruit ver op de achtergrond, niet mooi in balans. Komt misschien door het matige jaar?
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The wine is clear, looks dark purple almost black in colour. The legs are long. There is a small amount sediment in the bottle.
On the nose: Wood, leather, tobacco, some fruit near the end with citrus apple and pear.
On the palate: wood, damp bark, leather, wet leaves, some cassis and dark cherry flavours.
The body is medium. The wine has coarse texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has crisp acidity. The wine has high level of very dry Tannin.
Conclusion Very Austere with very dry tannins and crisp acidity. Not much fruit but a lot of wood, tobacco and savoury flavours, some fruit right at the end. The sweetness tries to come through but pushed back by the dry tannin. I think some more time in the cellar or at the very least a longer decant is needed to help balance the wine.
Still enjoyable with spicy Thai food that suited the acidity and grippy tannin.
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3 hour decant, and it needs it. Dark crimson color with orangeish bricking at the edges. Sweet blackberry, black cherry, fig first, then cloves and slight cedar box on the nose; black currant and leather on the palate. Agree with those who find it dry, but tannins seem pretty resolved at this point. Very flavorful, medium finish with plenty of black fruit and cedar.
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2011 Château Cantemerle was developing, complex and ripe. It was clear and deep ruby in colour with noticeable garnet rim and fine sediments. On the nose, there were aromas of blackberries, figs, prunes and dark cherries, followed by vanilla, cloves, earth and leather. On the palate, it was dry and rather full-bodied, with medium-high levels of acidity and chalky tannin. The rather long finish was packed with flavours of blackcurrant, dried tangerine zest, smoke and ceder wood. The wine was a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new oak. The 2011 vintage in Bordeaux was probably not the most acclaimed vintage, as it was troubled by warm and dry spring, then cool and wet summer. It turned out that with close to ten years of age, Médoc wines might enter early maturity and the development could be better than the general expectation, even though the intensity and quality of the tannin were no match for the more successful vintages. The most significant issue of the 2011 vintage is probably that it directly follows the revered 2009 and 2010 vintages.
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Tannic. It clearly evolves in the decanter throughout the entire process. There are a few awkward stage in between. Eight hour later, however, it becomes more integrated. Hold or drink with long decant.
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2011 was not a great vintage in Bordeaux (shocker, given how the press seems to almost always make the "next vintage" the "vintage of the millennium"). Cantemerle has always had a special place for me. My first case of Bordeaux ever purchased was the 1995. I always have some around, if only for sentimental reasons. This wine, for a 2011, is in a good spot right now. Opened up immediately in the glass with black fruits...currant and blackberry, which were complemented by hints of licorice. Medium-bodied with black fruits and cedar. Moderate finish with more than ample acidity for the fruit that is left (a tad bit out of balance, in my opinion). Tannins are well integrated. This goes no farther. Drink in the short term or risk a wine on the decline.
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It took some time to open, at first instance a somewhat disappointing disintegrated impression without a nose. Later it became more harmonieus, with very smooth, silky, long finish. Dispite the very dark appearance not very fruity, probably due to the vintage. Glad i drank it, suspect no longer development.
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Mid red. Brambly red berries. Red currants, touch of cranberry. The green element I’ve noted before remains. The palate is medium bodied, finishing clean. The tannins have now resolved themselves. Easy drinking now, I still don’t think this is going to achieve a much higher score than this.
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Henri Bloem annual tasting, Bloemendaal: a modest vintage, but an impressive wine with minerals, tea, smooth, juicy and certainly with a nice complexity; a quite long aftertaste.
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Tasted at The Wine Society's Bordeaux tasting, London. Tasted in parallel with the 2014 and 2009. Medium maroon colour. Rich and classy nose, cigar box, cassis. Rich, smooth, silky palate. Good now, but I think still young. Keep 5 years.
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I bought a couple of cases of this EP. I tried a couple of bottles in 2017 and it was way too young. We opened a few more bottles for my brothers birthday a few weeks ago. Pulled the cork on them at 2pm, decanted at 5pm and drunk at 9pm. Still very young in my opinion, but its all there. Big, dark purple, lots of fruit and quite a bit of tannin, still; although the tannins are not completely overwhelming. This reminded me more of a right bank wine than the soft Cantemerle's that I have had in the past. Still too young for me, and maybe best left alone for another 3-5 years. Everyone seemed to like it, but I'm sure this will be better with some patience.
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Just a good, solid wine. Lush and full. Easy to drink. Approachable. Still has some structure and tannins to allow it to age for a few more years, but reminded me of bigger wines from so called stronger vintages that may be 15-20 years old. This was just a great, easy to drink wine. Drink now to 2025+
(PR leaving do in KL)
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Lustrous garnet in colour. Light aromas of cassis and chocolate, which bloom on the broad palate. Acidity follows through on the structured tannins. Altogether a nice satisfying and balanced wine.
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Balanced, but flat and boring. Either my bottle was flawed or the wine is closed up. Tasted this in a vertical and both the younger (2015) and older (2003) were superior. Pass now or hold and you will be rewarded.
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A good quality ballanced wine with intense black fruits aroma, notes of sweet spices and animal tone; has nice acidity, good texture, pleasant tannin and nice body.
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Ruby core with some fade at the rim; ripe fruits on the nose, in fact there is a hint of stewed fruits. The fruit character is quite Sangiovese-like, centred on cherries. Herbal edge, a whiff of something darker, fruit-wise too; darker fruit character on the palate - nice and open right now, no hard edges. It seems the vinification was well judged. Delicious flavour and more freshness on the palate. Supple and just so approachable and easy to enjoy. Moderately long and offers good refreshment.
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Have tasted this wine a few times now, older vintages, and generally not been too impressed as it has tended to lack fruit and to be overly tannic. However, this vintage is quite different. Good bouquet of black fruits with cigar box. The fruit did not pass onto the palate quite as much as the bouquet would suggest, but still good with lasting finish.
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I have affectionate memories of Cantemerle, which used to be a sort of house wine at my parents' place for "best" occasions. It was punching above its 5th growth weight in the 50s and 60s and I recall fragrant and elegant bottles in a rather lean style from vintages like 53, 59 and 66. This is my first "modern" bottle and I think it is definitely oakier than those in the past and perhaps a bit fatter. The first pour was rather subdued and short albeit pleasant but it really opened up and expanded with air showing medium body, attractively fragrant berry fruit, some refined minerals, fresh acidity and decent backbone as well as a mild creamy vanilla touch which may integrate more fully in time. Good.
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Some nice brown leaf and twig on the nose, but it's a bit flat, not a much complexity. The palate has plenty of mouthfilling drying tannins, a vague cigar flavour, and decent drive. Nice to drink, but ultimately, it's a bit dull and lacking for what it is.
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Insipid. Quite smooth, pleasant, but little complexity. Really not a great wine. Don't think this is going to get any better. It makes you wonder whether the concept of a Grand Cru Classe in Haut-Medoc territory makes sense at all...This one goes back 150 years in terms of status - yet in terms of character there is very little here to distinguish it from a bog-standard supermarket Haut-Medoc of the same vintage at half the price.
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Classic Bordeaux nose of black berries, tobacco, earthy herbs and smoky oak. Rich and smooth palate, good concentration of black berries and smoked meat in the mid-palate. Finish is silky and deep. Very refined structure for a young Bordeaux. Lacking perhaps the complexity and depth of fruits from the better vintage.
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Decidedly fresher, riper and more voluminous than the last bottle. This may be emerging from a slightly dumb phase. There is still an element of greenness and a slightly short finish, emblematic of the vintage. But overall, this is very pleasant, easy-drinking claret.
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Corsé, assez tannique et boisé en ce moment. Nez sur les poivrons, les fraises et le bois. En bouche, l'élevage et bien là. Des cerises et du chocolat avec des tannins serrés sur une finale moyennement longue.
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As the producer noted it was the third drought year but instead of producing results like '09 and '10 the fruit was lower because of the drought, but the tannins were higher due to very thick berries. They did lots with oak in the winery to manage the tannins but felt it was still tight upon release. Now, the tannins have faded down and its ready to go. Delicious wine still marked by its oak, but not in a bad way.
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Austere and thin wine, the solid tannin structure entirely overwhelming what little fruit intensity there may have been. Unremarkable.
Other tasters seem to have discovered more finesse and nuance to the flavour profile here, but I am struggling to get beyond light red berries and an unripe, green element. Perhaps it is closed down at the moment, the firm tannin structure definitely suggests the wine will not expire in the short-term- worth returning to in a year or two.
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Appearance: Dark ruby, clear. Some legs. Nose: Predominantly dark fruit (with prune and cassis), some red fruit, vanilla, herbaceous notes, and gentle hints of minerals and coffee. Palate: More primary. Dark fruit, licorice, oak. Medium-full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium tannins but rather harsh. Give it another few years and it should develop into something nicer. Tannins need time to soften and integrate. 89+ for now.
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What is there not to like about this? while not dark deep brooding it's expressive, fragrant and vibrant expressed by the dark fruits and clays in the mouth it is medium body, with a grippy finish t
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dark red-purple dark fruits aroma with toasted oak & sous-bois hints med-full bodied, firm tannins, lean structure, dry bone dark fruits, fair balance, good harmony, still way too young and required further 5-10 years of ageing
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En Primeur Bdx. 2014 tasting event, reference wine from producer from older vintage, tasting pour, short note. Another fine showing from Cantemerle. Classic young Bourdeaux nose, red currants and red berries, some smoke and earthy wood, herbs & a touch licorice. Palate is young and undeveloped, a bit on the thin side perhaps, but likable, with minerals and fine acidity, and darker fruit than the nose indicated. (88 – 90)
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What a gorgeous, complex nose, earthy and mineral, with truffles, graphite, flowers and this intriguing lingering ginger feel. Took a few hours to open up into a red fruit, toffee, mineral palate, so elegant and showing good depth on the spiced and again ginger finish. Complex and elegant, yet still a bit restrained by its bitter tannins. Going somewhere beautiful in a couple of years. 93-95
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Very dark purple. Dusty dark purple fruits on the nose. Dusty is the operative word for this wine of mixed blue and black fruits and chalky tannins. Wood notes and distant graphite are present as well. A bit unimaginative, but solid with beef short ribs.
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(Decanter Fine Wine Event): Well knit, tight and good complexity. Cassis, leather, a hint of vanilla (even caramel). Quite alluring. This is more approachable now than the '10, but even then is only just peeping into its drinking window. Should be a solid, enjoyable Cantemerle in a few years.
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Light, elegant, refined red fruits, spice, earth and espresso tones opened to a soft, approachable, easy to drink blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. This is not going to make old bones. I'd drink this in its youth.
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Union Des Grand Crus Tasting 2011 Vintage, nose of red and black fruit, roasted coffee, and sage, same on the palate, medium body, almost fruit forward, better in 2 years, enjoy the next ten years, tasty, rich fruit, medium/long finish, this producer usually drinks best around year 7.
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Cool and menthol-y, with lots of red fruits and black raspberry. Light and elegant, aromatic, gravelly, crisply defined but a bit of a lightweight, particularly on the finish.
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UGC 2011 (The Drake Hotel - Chicago, IL): In a sea of heavyweights, Cantemerle drinks more like a featherweight. Like other vintages, this had a lot of smokey minerals on the nose and beautifully lithe dark fruits on the palate with some nice florals too. Such a great wine.
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Deep ruby core fading to pinkish rim. The nose is a bit muted and the alcohol seems to stick out a bit at first. Granted the wine is still very young. It took a while to open in my glass. Dusty dark fruits, e.g. blackberry, some herbaceous notes (but not greenness), gravel. On the palate, tight tannins, medium plus acidity, hint of diary note. Medium (plus) finish with notes of cocoa powder. Quite good for this iffy vintage.
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Blending 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine will be aged in 50% new oak. Earthy, cherry notes, medium bodied with a light, red berry finish. 88-90 Pts
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4/10/2024 - JN2295 wrote: 88 Points
This wine is not complex. But it’s a good wine for the price. Some earth and red fruit is definitely noticeable. There’s not much tannins left so I don’t see this wine improving but I think this wine could last at this stage for at least a few more years.
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4/8/2024 - dkstar1 wrote: 88 Points
PnP'd one bottle (magnum) and it felt thin for the first hour.
Decanted a different bottle the following day for a few hours and it showed fuller. So I do suggest a decant at this point.
Tannins are fully resolved. Classic but slightly muted Cantemerle flavors and aromas of blackberry, leather, a touch of cedar and the like.
Not a particularly great vintage for Cantemerle due to lacking a bit of acidity/back bone but still a pleasant wine to drink now.
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4/5/2024 - cdeco001 Likes this wine: 92 Points
nice wine, good drinking now, i think it will not improve with more time
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2/2/2024 - CMSPN wrote: 83 Points
Bad bottle.
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9/17/2023 - ThijsPiet Likes this wine: 92 Points
Soft fruits taste, with a lovely tertiairy notes. Good aroma. Lovely
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4/9/2023 - sjw_11 wrote: 90 Points
Four years on from my last note on this wine (and my last bottle of a six pack bought on release), and somewhat amazingly a transformation has occurred and the wine seems definitely a couple of points better than before. A perfect cork opens up a wine with bright cherry on the nose along with more developed spice and just a touch of green. Overall this is a pleasantly mature Bdx offering a harmonious experience.
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2/13/2023 - egoya Likes this wine: 91 Points
A positive surprise, fully mature, medium bodied, lots of fruit and fun to drink. Could one expect more for a 20 EUR Bdx?
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9/8/2022 - Jane22 Likes this wine:
Uitstekend op dronk, bij de ossehaas biefstuk
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4/7/2022 - NoahCap wrote:
Tastes like a lovely Bordeaux, but with the volume turned down.
Dark garnet core with a watery rim. Aromas are quite fruit forward, straddling the line between red and black. Quite nice, actually. The flavor profile in the mouth is rather young. Like the nose, flavors are primarily fruit: sweet red cherry and blackberries. Some of that good ole Bordeaux graphite is present as well, and on day two, a touch of cocoa appears on the finish. But the acidity is medium-low, and the tannins, while present, are rather light; all rather surprising given the otherwise youthful flavors.
Overall, the nose and flavors are on point for L Bank Bordeaux, but the intensity of flavor is just not there. It's almost as if the bottle was 90% wine and 10% water. Kind of disappointing. Maybe the mediocre vintage? Given the fruit-forward profile, I'd love to say that this just needs more time. However, the low acidity and nearly resolved tannins lead me to doubt whether this wine will last more than a few more years before starting to decline. Pop it now for a B/B+ experience, or hold onto the bottle for a few more years and roll the dice? Up to you.
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2/22/2022 - Brokenarrow wrote:
Very tight at initial opening, Decanted 1 hour, still felt like it had more but it never really blossomed, lacked the intensity and acidity I was expecting. Definite Black Cherry, wet earth, cedar and tobacco notes but relatively thin mid-palate and beyond.
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2/13/2022 - bp888 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted for two hours. Dark, dusty fruits with graphite and cedar on the nose - still quite closed. Slightly thin palate, dark fruits, tomato leaf and other vegetal characteristics .
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1/21/2022 - ProfByron Likes this wine: 90 Points
Drinking very well for a 10 year old Cantemerle Reflects the modern improvements.
Another well made 2011. Forward claret without tasting contrived
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10/17/2021 - Oddbjørn Likes this wine: 89 Points
Blackberries, black currant, plum, oak and leather on the nose nice fruity taste with a long aftertaste. Medium to full bodied.
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9/18/2021 - guitarkim Likes this wine: 91 Points
In a nice place at the moment. Needs an hour to come together. Very peasant indeed.
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7/13/2021 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep garnet.
Black plums, blackberries, almond nose.
Medium bodied, well integrated tannins.
Some spice, dried fruits and a little sweetness on the palate.
Still drinking well, probably hasn’t improved over the last 18 months but should continue to drink well for 5+ years.
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3/30/2021 - EricLi wrote: 90 Points
It started out showing the deficiency of the vintage. It gradually filled up and turn to a fine claret. It is okay to drink now, but I feel time will certainly help.
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3/29/2021 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 89 Points
A 5th Growth Bordeaux but not a great vintage. 47% Cab Sauv, 43% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Excellent fruit but lacking in structure and tannins and near the end of it's best drinking window. On the palate cherry and earthy notes, black fruits, and some leather.
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3/26/2021 - TomJa wrote: 84 Points
Viel tegen. Vlak na openen smaken van zuivel, droge tannines en heel erg hoog in de zuren. Na 3 uur decanteren opende de wijn iets. Mooie neus van casis, natte grond en iets van salmiak. Smaken: aards en te veel leer, donker fruit ver op de achtergrond, niet mooi in balans. Komt misschien door het matige jaar?
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2/21/2021 - Fine wine Lad wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for a 1hr.
The wine is clear, looks dark purple almost black in colour. The legs are long. There is a small amount sediment in the bottle.
On the nose: Wood, leather, tobacco, some fruit near the end with citrus apple and pear.
On the palate: wood, damp bark, leather, wet leaves, some cassis and dark cherry flavours.
The body is medium.
The wine has coarse texture.
The wine finishes medium.
The wine has crisp acidity.
The wine has high level of very dry Tannin.
Conclusion
Very Austere with very dry tannins and crisp acidity.
Not much fruit but a lot of wood, tobacco and savoury flavours, some fruit right at the end.
The sweetness tries to come through but pushed back by the dry tannin.
I think some more time in the cellar or at the very least a longer decant is needed to help balance the wine.
Still enjoyable with spicy Thai food that suited the acidity and grippy tannin.
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10/24/2020 - vino_per_tutti Likes this wine: 91 Points
3 hour decant, and it needs it. Dark crimson color with orangeish bricking at the edges. Sweet blackberry, black cherry, fig first, then cloves and slight cedar box on the nose; black currant and leather on the palate. Agree with those who find it dry, but tannins seem pretty resolved at this point. Very flavorful, medium finish with plenty of black fruit and cedar.
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2/20/2020 - apple1813 Likes this wine: 91 Points
2011 Château Cantemerle was developing, complex and ripe. It was clear and deep ruby in colour with noticeable garnet rim and fine sediments. On the nose, there were aromas of blackberries, figs, prunes and dark cherries, followed by vanilla, cloves, earth and leather. On the palate, it was dry and rather full-bodied, with medium-high levels of acidity and chalky tannin. The rather long finish was packed with flavours of blackcurrant, dried tangerine zest, smoke and ceder wood. The wine was a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new oak.
The 2011 vintage in Bordeaux was probably not the most acclaimed vintage, as it was troubled by warm and dry spring, then cool and wet summer. It turned out that with close to ten years of age, Médoc wines might enter early maturity and the development could be better than the general expectation, even though the intensity and quality of the tannin were no match for the more successful vintages. The most significant issue of the 2011 vintage is probably that it directly follows the revered 2009 and 2010 vintages.
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2/15/2020 - EricLi wrote: 90 Points
Tannic. It clearly evolves in the decanter throughout the entire process. There are a few awkward stage in between. Eight hour later, however, it becomes more integrated. Hold or drink with long decant.
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2/12/2020 - Shugs_Claret wrote: 88 Points
2011 was not a great vintage in Bordeaux (shocker, given how the press seems to almost always make the "next vintage" the "vintage of the millennium"). Cantemerle has always had a special place for me. My first case of Bordeaux ever purchased was the 1995. I always have some around, if only for sentimental reasons. This wine, for a 2011, is in a good spot right now. Opened up immediately in the glass with black fruits...currant and blackberry, which were complemented by hints of licorice. Medium-bodied with black fruits and cedar. Moderate finish with more than ample acidity for the fruit that is left (a tad bit out of balance, in my opinion). Tannins are well integrated. This goes no farther. Drink in the short term or risk a wine on the decline.
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2/2/2020 - Fwmsmeets Likes this wine: 90 Points
It took some time to open, at first instance a somewhat disappointing disintegrated impression without a nose. Later it became more harmonieus, with very smooth, silky, long finish. Dispite the very dark appearance not very fruity, probably due to the vintage. Glad i drank it, suspect no longer development.
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12/24/2019 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very good. Medium bodied, well balanced, smooth.
Should have a few more years left in it.
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11/29/2019 - sjw_11 wrote: 87 Points
Mid red. Brambly red berries. Red currants, touch of cranberry. The green element I’ve noted before remains. The palate is medium bodied, finishing clean. The tannins have now resolved themselves. Easy drinking now, I still don’t think this is going to achieve a much higher score than this.
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11/10/2019 - FransS wrote: 91 Points
Henri Bloem annual tasting, Bloemendaal: a modest vintage, but an impressive wine with minerals, tea, smooth, juicy and certainly with a nice complexity; a quite long aftertaste.
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10/28/2019 - Keith Cooper Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted at The Wine Society's Bordeaux tasting, London. Tasted in parallel with the 2014 and 2009. Medium maroon colour. Rich and classy nose, cigar box, cassis. Rich, smooth, silky palate. Good now, but I think still young. Keep 5 years.
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9/29/2019 - Airth wrote:
Rond en bouche, beau parfum ++
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7/24/2019 - GHRM002 wrote: 89 Points
I bought a couple of cases of this EP. I tried a couple of bottles in 2017 and it was way too young. We opened a few more bottles for my brothers birthday a few weeks ago. Pulled the cork on them at 2pm, decanted at 5pm and drunk at 9pm. Still very young in my opinion, but its all there. Big, dark purple, lots of fruit and quite a bit of tannin, still; although the tannins are not completely overwhelming. This reminded me more of a right bank wine than the soft Cantemerle's that I have had in the past. Still too young for me, and maybe best left alone for another 3-5 years. Everyone seemed to like it, but I'm sure this will be better with some patience.
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6/10/2019 - _water.into.wine_ Likes this wine: 91 Points
Just a good, solid wine. Lush and full. Easy to drink. Approachable. Still has some structure and tannins to allow it to age for a few more years, but reminded me of bigger wines from so called stronger vintages that may be 15-20 years old. This was just a great, easy to drink wine. Drink now to 2025+
(PR leaving do in KL)
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5/11/2019 - mr_rancho Likes this wine: 90 Points
Nice Bordeaux with typical flavours. Nothing special but a pleasure to drink. Worth the price.
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4/28/2019 - gazinho Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lustrous garnet in colour.
Light aromas of cassis and chocolate, which bloom on the broad palate.
Acidity follows through on the structured tannins.
Altogether a nice satisfying and balanced wine.
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11/9/2018 - Maphill01 wrote:
Balanced, but flat and boring. Either my bottle was flawed or the wine is closed up. Tasted this in a vertical and both the younger (2015) and older (2003) were superior. Pass now or hold and you will be rewarded.
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10/28/2018 - foyfrcs Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking well. Medium to full bodied. Loads of fruit. Impressive. Tastes and looks as if it has many years of life left.
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8/12/2018 - Mirrina Likes this wine: 90 Points
A good quality ballanced wine with intense black fruits aroma, notes of sweet spices and animal tone; has nice acidity, good texture, pleasant tannin and nice body.
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7/17/2018 - vespasian wrote:
Ruby core with some fade at the rim; ripe fruits on the nose, in fact there is a hint of stewed fruits. The fruit character is quite Sangiovese-like, centred on cherries. Herbal edge, a whiff of something darker, fruit-wise too; darker fruit character on the palate - nice and open right now, no hard edges. It seems the vinification was well judged. Delicious flavour and more freshness on the palate. Supple and just so approachable and easy to enjoy. Moderately long and offers good refreshment.
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4/10/2018 - Ashdene Likes this wine: 88 Points
Have tasted this wine a few times now, older vintages, and generally not been too impressed as it has tended to lack fruit and to be overly tannic. However, this vintage is quite different. Good bouquet of black fruits with cigar box. The fruit did not pass onto the palate quite as much as the bouquet would suggest, but still good with lasting finish.
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2/3/2018 - eboracum Likes this wine: 89 Points
I have affectionate memories of Cantemerle, which used to be a sort of house wine at my parents' place for "best" occasions. It was punching above its 5th growth weight in the 50s and 60s and I recall fragrant and elegant bottles in a rather lean style from vintages like 53, 59 and 66. This is my first "modern" bottle and I think it is definitely oakier than those in the past and perhaps a bit fatter. The first pour was rather subdued and short albeit pleasant but it really opened up and expanded with air showing medium body, attractively fragrant berry fruit, some refined minerals, fresh acidity and decent backbone as well as a mild creamy vanilla touch which may integrate more fully in time. Good.
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1/19/2018 - aekenback wrote: 87 Points
Nothing wrong, but lacking in charachter and somewhat Boeing. Might turn into something more exciting with time, but I’m not sure.
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12/23/2017 - jesperarent wrote: 85 Points
Again a bit dull experience, lacking complexity. Do not buy again.
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11/5/2017 - Bearbus wrote:
Some nice brown leaf and twig on the nose, but it's a bit flat, not a much complexity. The palate has plenty of mouthfilling drying tannins, a vague cigar flavour, and decent drive. Nice to drink, but ultimately, it's a bit dull and lacking for what it is.
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10/29/2017 - WineFrogg wrote: 88 Points
Insipid. Quite smooth, pleasant, but little complexity. Really not a great wine. Don't think this is going to get any better. It makes you wonder whether the concept of a Grand Cru Classe in Haut-Medoc territory makes sense at all...This one goes back 150 years in terms of status - yet in terms of character there is very little here to distinguish it from a bog-standard supermarket Haut-Medoc of the same vintage at half the price.
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9/23/2017 - Winemoments Likes this wine: 88 Points
Straightfowfard not too complex modern style Bordeaux. Easy drinking and enjoyable
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8/17/2017 - jesperarent wrote: 85 Points
Not as good as expected. A bit neutral and thin in taste. A bit disappointing compared to price...
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8/9/2017 - Psdycp wrote: 87 Points
Classic Bordeaux nose of black berries, tobacco, earthy herbs and smoky oak. Rich and smooth palate, good concentration of black berries and smoked meat in the mid-palate. Finish is silky and deep. Very refined structure for a young Bordeaux. Lacking perhaps the complexity and depth of fruits from the better vintage.
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5/1/2017 - sjw_11 wrote: 87 Points
Decidedly fresher, riper and more voluminous than the last bottle. This may be emerging from a slightly dumb phase. There is still an element of greenness and a slightly short finish, emblematic of the vintage. But overall, this is very pleasant, easy-drinking claret.
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3/23/2017 - Burgnick wrote: 86 Points
Austere and thin with some black fruit and olives. Theres under-ripness on the palate with a sharp and short finish.
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3/6/2017 - maxima wrote: 88 Points
Corsé, assez tannique et boisé en ce moment.
Nez sur les poivrons, les fraises et le bois.
En bouche, l'élevage et bien là. Des cerises et du chocolat avec des tannins serrés sur une finale moyennement longue.
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9/14/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
As the producer noted it was the third drought year but instead of producing results like '09 and '10 the fruit was lower because of the drought, but the tannins were higher due to very thick berries. They did lots with oak in the winery to manage the tannins but felt it was still tight upon release. Now, the tannins have faded down and its ready to go. Delicious wine still marked by its oak, but not in a bad way.
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6/28/2016 - wineforth wrote: 88 Points
The foil at the 2015 en primeur tasting at Lords (the cricket ground). Not a patch on the 2015.
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5/29/2016 - sjw_11 wrote: 86 Points
Austere and thin wine, the solid tannin structure entirely overwhelming what little fruit intensity there may have been. Unremarkable.
Other tasters seem to have discovered more finesse and nuance to the flavour profile here, but I am struggling to get beyond light red berries and an unripe, green element. Perhaps it is closed down at the moment, the firm tannin structure definitely suggests the wine will not expire in the short-term- worth returning to in a year or two.
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4/20/2016 - RieslingFanatic wrote: 88 Points
Fair 5th growth. Nose is subtle, red fruits on dried herbs. Palate shows good (not great) persistence. Shows the vintage you could say.
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4/17/2016 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
MW Institute 2011 Bordeaux Tasting: Blackberry, violets and roses. Medium bodied, the fruit has some restraint. Nice savoury flavour profile.
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4/1/2016 - ozyloy wrote: 89 Points
Appearance: Dark ruby, clear. Some legs.
Nose: Predominantly dark fruit (with prune and cassis), some red fruit, vanilla, herbaceous notes, and gentle hints of minerals and coffee.
Palate: More primary. Dark fruit, licorice, oak. Medium-full bodied, medium+ acidity, medium tannins but rather harsh.
Give it another few years and it should develop into something nicer. Tannins need time to soften and integrate. 89+ for now.
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2/14/2016 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine:
What is there not to like about this? while not dark deep brooding it's expressive, fragrant and vibrant expressed by the dark fruits and clays in the mouth it is medium body, with a grippy finish t
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1/20/2016 - RajivAyyangar wrote: 88 Points
Institute of Masters of Wine - 2011 Bdx Tasting (Hyatt, San Francisco): Nice! Detailed, cab-driven, slight cassis, and a little greenness.
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12/4/2015 - Yagil wrote: 89 Points
dark red-purple
dark fruits aroma with toasted oak & sous-bois hints
med-full bodied, firm tannins, lean structure, dry bone dark fruits, fair balance, good harmony, still way too young and required further 5-10 years of ageing
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9/3/2015 - Ramberg wrote: 89 Points
En Primeur Bdx. 2014 tasting event, reference wine from producer from older vintage, tasting pour, short note.
Another fine showing from Cantemerle.
Classic young Bourdeaux nose, red currants and red berries, some smoke and earthy wood, herbs & a touch licorice.
Palate is young and undeveloped, a bit on the thin side perhaps, but likable, with minerals and fine acidity, and darker fruit than the nose indicated.
(88 – 90)
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7/29/2015 - aekenback wrote: 88 Points
A bit too fluffy nose compared to what I expected. Nice cab sauv flavors. Quite ready for beeing such a young Bordeaux.
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5/2/2015 - kbcadeponei wrote: 93 Points
What a gorgeous, complex nose, earthy and mineral, with truffles, graphite, flowers and this intriguing lingering ginger feel. Took a few hours to open up into a red fruit, toffee, mineral palate, so elegant and showing good depth on the spiced and again ginger finish. Complex and elegant, yet still a bit restrained by its bitter tannins. Going somewhere beautiful in a couple of years. 93-95
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2/15/2015 - TexasBob Likes this wine: 88 Points
Very dark purple. Dusty dark purple fruits on the nose. Dusty is the operative word for this wine of mixed blue and black fruits and chalky tannins. Wood notes and distant graphite are present as well. A bit unimaginative, but solid with beef short ribs.
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11/16/2014 - Phenol73 Likes this wine: 93 Points
(Decanter Fine Wine Event): Well knit, tight and good complexity. Cassis, leather, a hint of vanilla (even caramel). Quite alluring. This is more approachable now than the '10, but even then is only just peeping into its drinking window. Should be a solid, enjoyable Cantemerle in a few years.
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6/2/2014 - vespasian Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely fruit on the nose, pure and expressive; supple and elegant, featherweight style. Lovely finish.
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5/14/2014 - Drankard wrote: 90 Points
Jeff pretty much sums it up. Pretty straight forward and lacks complexity but the finish is the best part of this wine, it's fresh with good length.
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2/16/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Light, elegant, refined red fruits, spice, earth and espresso tones opened to a soft, approachable, easy to drink blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. This is not going to make old bones. I'd drink this in its youth.
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1/25/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
Union Des Grand Crus Tasting 2011 Vintage, nose of red and black fruit, roasted coffee, and sage, same on the palate, medium body, almost fruit forward, better in 2 years, enjoy the next ten years, tasty, rich fruit, medium/long finish, this producer usually drinks best around year 7.
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1/23/2014 - yofog wrote: 90 Points
Cool and menthol-y, with lots of red fruits and black raspberry. Light and elegant, aromatic, gravelly, crisply defined but a bit of a lightweight, particularly on the finish.
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1/22/2014 - tooch wrote: 92 Points
UGC 2011 (The Drake Hotel - Chicago, IL): In a sea of heavyweights, Cantemerle drinks more like a featherweight. Like other vintages, this had a lot of smokey minerals on the nose and beautifully lithe dark fruits on the palate with some nice florals too. Such a great wine.
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6/25/2013 - Libiamo! wrote: 89 Points
Deep ruby core fading to pinkish rim. The nose is a bit muted and the alcohol seems to stick out a bit at first. Granted the wine is still very young. It took a while to open in my glass. Dusty dark fruits, e.g. blackberry, some herbaceous notes (but not greenness), gravel. On the palate, tight tannins, medium plus acidity, hint of diary note. Medium (plus) finish with notes of cocoa powder. Quite good for this iffy vintage.
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4/8/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 89 Points
Blending 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine will be aged in 50% new oak. Earthy, cherry notes, medium bodied with a light, red berry finish. 88-90 Pts
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