Product description
The Château Cantelys vineyard is located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, in the municipality of Martillac, near Bordeaux.Sources indicate that it was not founded until the 1980s.by Dominique Lurton.Shortly thereafter—in 1994—the estate was acquired by Daniel Cathiard and Florence Cathiard, the owners of the neighboring renowned Château Smith Haut Lafitte.Under their management, a thorough modernization took place: part of the surrounding forest was cleared to improve airflow in the vineyards, windbreaks were installed, replanting was carried out, and the layout of the vineyards was changed.
The vineyard covers a total of about 40 hectares , about half of which is devoted to grape cultivation.The soils are characterized by a distinct presence of gravel, which is typical of the Pessac-Léognan region.Thanks to its proximity to Bordeaux, as well as the presence of forests and good ventilation, the microclimate is conducive to the ripening of grapes with good balance.
As for grape varieties: for red wines, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were the primary varieties planted—various sources give different proportions, with one indicating 70% Cabernet and 30% Merlot.For white wines, on the other hand, a typical blend is 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Sémillon.
An interesting fact is that although Château Cantelys is not a classified Cru (unlike some other châteaux in Pessac-Léognan), thanks to the guidance of a renowned winemaker from Smith Haut Lafitte and significant investments in viticulture and winemaking, it has become a very interesting example of artisanal yet reliable Bordeaux production.
Appearance: a bright, brilliant color with golden highlights; when young, it tends toward lemon-straw hues; in the glass, it displays clarity and freshness.
Aroma: distinct notes of citrus fruits—grapefruit, lime, lemon—enriched with aromas of white flowers, peach, and pear; in the background, a delicate minerality and a subtle hint of honey and vanilla resulting from partial barrel fermentation.
Taste: elegant, fresh, and lively, with the well-defined acidity typical of Sauvignon Blanc and the creamy depth contributed by Sémillon; citrus and tropical notes dominate, balanced by floral accents and a slightly smoky, mineral finish.
Food pairings: perfect with seafood (oysters, shrimp, scallops), grilled fish, sushi, and salmon carpaccio; it also pairs wonderfully with goat cheese, risotto with asparagus, or light Asian cuisine with hints of ginger and lime.