Château Cantemerle 1998

Dark ruby-colored with a purple edge, this slightly herbaceous, medium-bodied, light-styled 1998 offers attractive aromas and flavors, but it lacks depth and length. Drink it over the next 7-10 years.

Hard to get excited about. Medium-bodied, with berry character, but rather weedy and funky. Not as good as from barrel. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 26,000 cases made.

Deep garnet with violet and ruby highlights. A dreamy, very finely knit bouquet: ripe Merlot, playful, and a spicy Cabernet. On the palate, silky, again with a dancing extract, ripe, well-balanced astringency. A super Cantemerle, on the level of the brilliant ’96.

99: Deep garnet with violet and ruby highlights. A dreamlike, very fine and delicate bouquet: ripe Merlot playfully dances with spicy Cabernet. On the palate, silky, with an equally dancing extract and a ripe, well-balanced astringency. A superb Cantemerle, on a par with the equally brilliant ’96. 17/20 2003 – 2013

Faint bouquet with rubber notes. Light, sweet flavors. Sweet, short finish. 15/20

Deep red color. Medium intensity. Medium-intensity nose. Slightly stewed fruity note of prune, plus a hint of orange zest. A toasty touch with aeration. A smooth attack developing into a moderately concentrated structure, turning juicy with very well-balanced tannins, fine and aromatic. The wine surprises with its lack of harshness in a vintage that does have some. The extraction is perfect, but the density is medium. It can be enjoyed pleasantly when young.