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Chateau Haut-Canteloup

Chateau Haut-Canteloup is located in the northern Médoc, near the small town of St-Christoly-Médoc. It is in good company here, near neighbours including Potensac to the south and La Tour de By to the north. There are 38 hectares of vineyards in all, in two separate plots. In the commune of St-Christoly-Médoc itself there are 26 hectares of vineyards planted on well drained Garonniase gravel, and just a little further southwest there are a further 12 hectares in the commune of Couquèques. Here the vines sit on a clay and limestone soil. The vines are planted at a density of 6250 vines/ha, with an average age of 40 years. It is a Merlot dominated blend, with this variety occupying 60% of the vignoble, the remainder being 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc. Harvesting is mechanical rather than manual, fermentation temperature controlled.

Chateau Haut-Canteloup turns out typically 23000 cases per annum. The grand vin - if by that we mean the standard cuvée by which the estate shall be judged - is Chateau Haut-Canteloup, which sees twelve months in oak and has a production of 8000 cases or thereabouts. There is, however, a super-cuvée made from a selection of the best vats as they ferment. This is Chateau Haut-Canteloup Collection, which also sees twelve months oak ageing, but this time using new wood. Finally a second wine, Chateau Les Mourlanes, takes the fruit of young vines.

The straight Chateau Haut-Canteloup can, in my experience, offer a good and affordable Bordeaux experience in both good and lesser vintages and, surprisingly, even in very questionable years such as 1997. Perhaps the team, free from the pressure felt by the Cru Classés and more renowned Cru Bourgeois properties, have a freer hand to make a wine that suits the vintage. (5/10/04)

Contact details:
Address: Chateau Haut-Canteloup, St-Christoly-Médoc
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 56 41 58 98
Fax +33 (0) 5 56 41 58 98

Chateau Haut-Canteloup - Tasting Notes

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Chateau Haut-Canteloup Cuvée Collection (Médoc) 2000: A selection which sees twelve months of new oak. A dark, brooding colour which leads into a similar purposeful nose, which has plenty of dark berry fruit with a mineral edge. Combines a little finesse with a powerful reticence as well. The palate starts off full, masculine, dark and broody, but after some time the wine softens to give some quite stylish crunchy blackcurrant, cedar and pencil lead flavours. Nicely balanced. This has good potential. Needs 5-8 years. 17+/20 (October 2005)

Chateau Haut-Canteloup (Médoc) 2000: Good colour here. Very closed at first, but it reluctantly yields aromas of ripe black cherry and violet-perfumed fruit. The palate shows great structure, with some firm tannin and correct acidity, and a medium weight. Fairly typical mouthfeel, a little austere in its youth, but this will fade as the wine blossoms in the cellar. Piles of tannin on the finish. Needs five to seven years further bottle age at present. 16+/20 (October 2004)

Chateau Haut-Canteloup (Médoc) 1999: A good colour when poured. Although the nose is a little dumb at first, it's important that you give this wine time. It soon opens out to reveal plenty of stone and mineral edged blackcurrant fruit, with a hint of toffee from the oak maturation. A lovely weight on the palate, appropriate for the vintage. It has quiet, unobtrusive tannins and good acidity, with a firm, rounded mouthfeel. Slightly austere, firm fruit with a savoury, charcoal edge. The tannins are a little more obvious on the finish. Delightfully styled and easy to drink. 16/20 (July 2002) Label

Chateau Haut-Canteloup (Médoc) 1998: Fantastic colour here, a deep and vibrant red. There is a surprising depth of fruit for such a good value wine on the nose, with a layer of fresh, crunchy blackcurrants, plums and damsons over a sensible amount of new French oak. The palate has delicious balance, despite a degree of tannin, and the wine simply glides across the tongue. With some aeration it fattens up somewhat, although the tannins remain firm and structured rather than obtrusive. Plenty of fresh fruit and good acidity. This will benefit from another year or so in bottle. It's a lovely wine for the money. From a Cru Bourgeois tasting. 16.5/20 (April 2002)

Chateau Haut-Canteloup (Médoc) 1997: Some nice mineral fruit on the nose. This leads into a palate which has a well balanced mixture of mineral fruit and fresh acidity. Sensible extract and soft tannins, very ready to drink. Attractive body and a clean finish. 15/20 (May 2001)