TN: 1995 and 1996 Cantemerle, Haut Medoc. Dueling vintages of Cantemerle tonight…and here’s how they played out:
The 1995 and 1996 are brothers-in-arms with fairly similar profiles and resolution 20 plus years on. Deep dark plum and other fruit buried under cigar box on the 95 and more of a leathery thing with the 96. Both are real Bordeaux, in my opinion. Not incredibly complex, but really they are both rather elegant and understated for a wine that leans rustic compared (only) to the polished – manufactured – wines that are more common today in the region.
On the 95, the back-end is fine, but there is a slight sour note on the finish. Can’t quite place it, but its not quite as smooth as the 95. I’d give this 1995 a solid 90 points, and the 1996 a very solid 89 tonight, just a hair behind its older sibling. The 96 is slightly juicier, but not quite as complex. Anyway, I think I got both of these for about $35, give or take, in the last year or two. A lot of value here, as usual. Lovely. I am wishing I had a steak instead of pizza.