Château Angludet and Château Cantemerle are two of the best value fine red Bordeaux’s you can pick up. Cantemerle, classified a fifth growth in the 1855 classification, regularly produces top class claret and has been on particularly impressive form in the last decade. This Haut-Médoc is located in Macau, just to the south of the Margaux appellation. Château d’Angludet [now simply labeled Angludet] is a very well-known old Margaux property that was pretty much brought back from the dead by the late Peter Allan Sichel after he purchased the ailing property in 1961. Today the wine has been taken to even greater heights by his son Ben Sichel. It is undoubtedly one of the best value chateaux of this large and heterogeneous appellation. The property has excellent terroir and neighbours Château Giscours and Château du Tertre.

I’ve just had the opportunity to taste both properties wines from the great 2005 vintage over the holiday period and the notes are below. Both wines have the capacity for further ageing.

Château d’Angludet, Margaux, 2005

Mid red at edge; good depth; deep core; wonderful Margaux aromatics; spices; blackcurrants; mocha tones; some undergrowth and tobacco with violet lift; full palate with lots of matter; velvety and caressing; tannins ripe and round; this delicious Angludet has sufficient grip and stuffing to improve for a further 3-5 years but is delicious now. Genuine length on the finish – a wine of some substance and dimension yet with that wonderful elegance and composure you find in the best wines of the appellation. Drink now-2025. 92+

Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc, 2005

Red at edge; good depth; solid Haut-Médoc aromatics initially; little backward compared to the Angludet and probably deserving of a few more years in bottle; core of fruit with still some chew to the tannins. This is a 2005 to me that has always felt a little backward, in need of time in bottle to show its best. The wine had actually opened up much more after a day in the decanter, which suggests its future potential. It contrasts interestingly with the flamboyant wine made here in 2009. Drink 2017-2028. 90+