The origins of Chateau Cantemerle lie in the Middle Ages when this chateau is part of the defensive line against attack in the Haut-Medoc area. The name first appeared in 1147 with the donation of the land to the monks by the knight Pons de Cantemerle. Vines were first recorded to be grown here in 1354, and the estate changed hands several times from Caupene family to La Roque, and then to the Villeneuve in 1579, with the house officially renamed Cantemerle in 1643. 
An interesting sidenote on the 1855 classification involved Cantemerle also. Originally not part of the original list, which was derived from the selling price of the wines at that time, Cantemerle had been selling directly to merchants in Holland and thus lacking the track record for the prices required. However, the then proprietor Caroline de Villeneuve-Durfort fought by presenting the documents to prove that the selling prices were on par with hte other 5th growths. At the end, Cantemerle was added to the list which is still referred nowadays.
The property was sold again to Dubos family in 1892 and finally to the current owner SMABTP insurance group in 1981. The size of the vineyards now reached 87 hectares, planting with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Average age of the vines are over 30 years. Green harvesting is practised with also selection at vineyard. Then it is 100% destemmed before putting up to 30 days of maceration in wooden vats. The wine are aged for 16 months, 12 months in French oak casks (half new) and remaining 4 months in vat after blending. A total of 560,000 bottles are produced annually, including the second wine Les Allees des Cantemerle. 
Region / Country: Haut-Medoc France
Vintage: 2004
Grape: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot
ABV: 13%
Price: HK$268
Tasting Date: 25 June 2011
Wineshark score: 90
Opaque ruby colour with an intense and developing nose of blackberry, blackcurrant, black cherry, liquorice, sweet spice, smoke and savory notes. A bit sour on the acidity with medium (+) tannin of well-integrated texture. Medium (+) body showing intense flavors of blackberry, black cherry, liquorice, smoke, charred wood, sweet spice and savory notes. Overall a good quality Haut-Medoc with a reasonable length, fairly complex characters in nose and palate, and good intensity. Ready to drink now and can be further developed for another 5-7 years.
Other vintages / wines I have tasted for this chateau:- 2005 Les Allees de Cantemerle
- 2006 Les Allees de Cantemerle
- 2006 Chateau Cantemerle
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