Château Cantemerle

This traditional winery is located in the municipality of Macau in the Médoc(Bordeaux). The name goes back to the nobleman Chevalier Pons de Cantemerle, who acquired a large estate in 1241. After several changes of ownership, it was bought by Baron Jehan de Villeneuve in 1579 and remained in this family for over three centuries. In 1892, the estate was acquired by the Dubos family, who sold it to the S.M.A.B.T.P. insurance group in 1981. Subsequently, large sums of money were invested to bring the cellar technology up to date.

In the 1855 Bordeaux classification, the estate was awarded fifth place (Cinquième Cru Classé). However, it was not yet included in the list published in April. In the original list, however, it is listed at the very end in a clearly recognisably different and smaller handwriting. There were many rumours, including accusations of bribery and subsequent manipulation. At the time, Cantemerle wine was largely exported to Holland. For this reason, it did not appear in the French price lists (an important basis for categorisation) and was therefore ignored or forgotten. It was only after fierce protests from the owners and several months of dispute that it was subsequently added to the last place after Château Croizet-Bages after the World Exhibition in December 1855. It was said to have deserved fourth or even third place. But they were not prepared to do this, as it would have upset the whole order.