Hi All,
First, let me say hello. I've been lurking for a long time, but this is my first post.
Tonight we opened a 1989 and 2000 Chateau Cantemerle.
Tasted blind (well everyone else did anyway):
First, let me add some commentary to this note. The three others who tasted these with me knew only that one of the wines was a 1989 Cantemerle. They had no idea the other was a 2000. They couldn't tell which was the 1989 and had no idea what the other one was. One person finally got the 89 right. The color was as if it was bottled yesterday. Amazing that a 17 year old vintage was a fresh as it was.
For the notes:
1989 Chateau Cantemerle (Decanted 1 hour prior to serving)
Level was bottom of neck. No signs of any leaking and the cork was in pristine condition, save the fact that it was stained amost entirely. Crimson red, bright, lively, crystal clear. Showed almost no evidence of its age by visual cues. Cassis, cherry, tar, cedar, mineral (wet stones maybe), wet concrete on a warm day, tobacco/cigar, on the nose. Inviting and big aromas.
On the palate, this wine was medium bodied, with bright and lively tastes of cassis, cherries, lead pencil and cedar. The tannins made themselves known, but they were soft and even from the initial attack through the finish. This wine is tight, and compacted, but weighty without being heavy. The finish goes on for 30+ seconds, and continues to unfold for the entire time. Very focused flavors of red fruits. I have had two of the other bottles from this case, and this bottle showed better than the previous two. Easily can see this wine lasting another 8-10+ years. Scored at 95/100.
2000 Chateau Cantemerle (Decanted 2.5 hours prior to serving)
Level was high neck (as to be expected).
Medium to dark ruby/almost purple in color, very clear. Hard to tell this wine from the 1989 (speaks more to the storage of the 1989). Big wine on the nose. Red berries, cherries, cassis, smoke, vanilla, and flowers. Very attractive. On the palate this wine was medium bodied, and very flavorful. Cherry, cassis, vanilla, herbs, toast and smokey notes. Dusty tannins. Long finish, easily 25-30 seconds. This wine has a long life ahead of it. I was very pleasently surprised based on other tasting notes I have seen for this vintage. I have 11 bottles left, and if they are anything like this bottle I will enjoy them for the next 12-15 years. Scored 91/100.
Overall, what else to say? These were delightful to say the least. The quality of the wines for the price is amazing. I am looking forward to many more bottles of each of these great Cantemerles.
Erik. |