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2013 Cantemerle

2013 Cantemerle

Wine Details for 2013 Cantemerle

Type of Wine Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world.



For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide.



France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity.



France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.



With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.


Overview

Producer Chateau Cantemerle : Thanks to well documenting methods used by the monks of La Sauve Mejur Abbey, the history of Chateau Cantemerle in Haut-Medoc can be traced back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux. These documents are records of business that transpired in the monastic community, which confirms that the estate took its name from the Lords of Cantemerle.

Ponset de Cantemerle became the first person to cultivate the vineyards designated to growing grapes in 1340. This was a large directional change as most of the land at the time was used to grow wheat. By the 16th century, Cantemerle was devoted to the production of wine. It would also see the powerful Villeneuve-Durfort family take control of the estate, bringing the quality of wine to unprecedented levels.

Madame Villeneuve-Durfort was a feisty owner who cared greatly for the estate, working tirelessly to uphold the estate’s reputation and its heritage. She was successful in fending off a neighboring property who insisted that the Cantemerle name was title of land and not a family name, thus justifying his claim to legally add the word Cantemerle to his estate name. Madame Villeneuve-Durfort did not agree. She was able to produce forty years of book records that stated his findings false and he was then forced to pay the cost of the trial. A great victory for the Villeneuve-Durfort family.

In 1855, when the classification of the Medoc took place, Chateau Cantemerle was accidentally left off the list of classified growths. It was the continued insistence of Madame Villeneuve-Durfort that her property be reinstated in the classification. Years of documentation proving Cantemerle had been outselling many chateau that were already classified and the Madame’s dogged approach saw the estate awarded Fifth Growth Status.

The fortunes of Chateau Cantemerle could not have been any better that it was in the late 1800’s; However, this all changed when tragedy struck the region. Cantemerle was not only one of the worst sufferers of the phylloxera crisis, its vines were subsequently attacked by downy mildew between 1879 and 1887, slashing the production by 50% and ultimately bringing an end to the Villeneuve-Durfort dynasty over Chateau Cantemerle. In 1892, the descendants of the last of the Villeneuve family sold Cantemerle to the Dubos family after owning the estate for over 300 years. It was sold again in 1981 to the SMABTP group. The property was in dire need of restoration, and the new owners went to work reviving, replanting and expanding the vineyards.

Today, this huge 108-hectare vineyard property has 92 hectares under vine, planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. There has been a major shift over the years in reducing the amount of Cabernet Franc, while increasing the Cabernet Sauvignon plantings. It is the goal of the estate to continue increasing the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyard. The terroir is mostly sand and gravel soils, but can be divided into three sections; close to the chateau, soil with pebbles, small rocks and dark sand. To the east, close to the water, there are large stones and gravel with sand, while farther south there are small rocks with almost white sand. The estate’s best terroir is located close to the chateau and is where Cabernet Sauvignon is found.

The new owners have certainly rebounded Cantemerle’s success and popularity. It is now producing about 25,000 cases annually. Cantemerle is a medium-bodied, light, fresh, and elegantly styled, charming Bordeaux that can be enjoyed young (though decanted for at least an hour) or allowed to age for up to several decades.

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