2018 Cantelys
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Cantelys has a generous, well-defined nose of blackberry, cedar and wild hedgerow, a touch of Pauillac-like mintiness tucked in just behind. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy tannins, a liberal sprinkling of cracked black pepper and charcoal over the black fruit, and a fresh, slightly austere finish. Old-school Claret in the best sense of the expression.
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
From deep, gravelly soils not far from Smith Haut Lafitte (who also make the wine), the 2018 Château Cantelys offers a beautiful Graves perfume of cassis and darker currants intermixed with damp earth, tobacco, leaf, spicy oak, and bouquet garni. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated 2018 with plenty of tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. It has a touch of austerity (in a good sense) and is going to benefit from 2-4 years or bottle age and have 10-15 years of prime drinking. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot.
The 2018 Cantelys has developed into a very pretty wine. Floral aromatics and bright red-toned fruit are nicely pushed forward. This Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend has really come together since en primeur. The rough, hearty edges that were present then have been replaced by a gorgeous expression of fruit and mid-weight structure that suggest a decade or so of fine drinking lies ahead. If opened at this stage of its life, the 2018 really benefits from a few hours of aeration.
Composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cantelys strides out of the glass with classic cassis, tobacco leaf and baked plums scents with hints of pencil shavings and incense. The medium-bodied palate is soft, juicy and ready for business, featuring just enough freshness to carry off a nice, savory finish of good length.