Any opinions on 2006 Cantermerle?

I know there are some big fans of this smallish chateau in Haut Medoc. K&L was raving about this vintage (better than 2005) and it's relatively cheap.

I thought it good not great at a 2006 horizontal, with maybe a bit of brett. Generally a solid property

I guess it's into the colder storage then for the one bottle I have.

Following is my most recent tasting note for the wine in question.

Best
Rogov


Chateau Cantermerle, Haut-Medoc, 2006: Dark garnet towards royal purple, an appealing but somewhat "countrified" wine with firm, chunky tannins and abundant smoky oak. Given time in the glass opens to reveal blackberry, currant, mocha and cigar tobacco. Best 2012-2018. Score 89. (Tasted 17 Oct 2009)

for me it was one of the disappointments of the UGC tasting of that vintage in chicago. there seemed to be something a bit odd about it. didn't take time to analyze. decent fruit under but quite tannic.

wow. The Cellartracker comments are literally all over the place. From sweet fruit to no fruit to brett. Now some good notes and some "weird wine" notes.

I would probably enjoy the wine if M. Rogov's notes hold true for my bottle. Maybe this should be an experimental "early drinker".

I've had some good luck from K&L recommendations recently, even for chateaux and wines that are panned by my two Bordeaux books (Stephen Brooks and Oz Clarke) (L'Arrivet Haut Brion) or Cellartracker. And their 2004 Mille Roses is fantastic for $11.95. So...just cross my fingers and hope my bottle is a good one.

The Picques Callou (Graves) they had on sale had some questionable cellartracker notes as well. Oh well... pop and pour, and we will see!

It is now 3:35 in the morning but I am thinking evil thoughts and one day will write a too-long note on the value of tasting notes on Cellar Tracker. One day......

Best
Rogov

2006 Château Cantemerle (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc) 12/15/2009
2006 Bordeaux horizontal (Public Restaurant, NYC): Bright, tight, and a bit simple. Dark, burnt oak tannins. A bit dirty.
B-

2006 Château Cantemerle (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc) 10/22/2009
Not enough "there" there. Wouldn't buy again at that price


2006 Château Cantemerle (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc) 8/17/2009
Juicy, full, chewey fruit with a dark undernote and not sweet. Has some citric acidic tannins on the finish and a bit puckering with a hint of green. This is fairly drinkable now and has some structure to age for a little while. Good everyday drink, full fruited without being a fruit bomb.
B-

Brian, Les Allées de Cantemerle (second wine) is considered by more than a few connoisseurs to have a very similar style to the Grand Vin. I am one. (I love to call myself a connoisseur because nobody else would do it - referring to both me and them.) I loved the 2006 LAdC, which is very ready to drink, but wouldn't touch 2006 Cantemerle, yet, from a leaning against profligate abuse. I have some of both and look forward to the Grand Vin down the road. Why don't you just drink the LAdC?

I have six in my cellar but have not tried a bottle yet. I buy this most years based on past experience, price and usually good reviews (but the least important reason). I would think it is too early to drink. I have it marked to not open a bottle for at least another few years. Unless it is just a bad attempt by Cantemerle I would not pay much attention to current tasting notes. I tend to drink my Bordeaux with a good bit of age and find it very difficult to determine what a good wine will taste like when fully mature. If you don't like it young, it will probably not become great but if it is closed and not showing much I would not worry about it for several more years.
Walt