Chateau de Camensac 2018

Chateau de Camensac, Fifth Growth Grand Cru Classe, Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France, 2018 

Grapes: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot from 86ha of vineyards on a mixture of Gunzian gravels (for Cabernet) and clay/limestone (for Merlot). Manual harvesting. Ageing in French oak barrels for 14 to 18 months (60% new barrels).

The property is adjacent to the Saint-Julien appellation. Sustainable farming is practised with 7ha of vineyards undergoing biodynamic trials. In 2005, Château de Camensac was bought by Jean Merlaut and Céline Villars-Foubet. The Merlaut family has one of the finest portfolios of Médoc properties, which includes Gruaud-Larose, Haut Bages Liberal, Ferrière, Chasse-Spleen, and Citran.

The wine has redcurrant and raspberry aromas plus black pepper and roses. The structure is fine with plenty of substance on the mid-palate. This is a balanced, powerful wine. The finish is very long, recalling the red fruit of the initial nose with well-integrated oak.

"Deep cherry red. Really fragrant, even a little bit floral, lots of black fruit, wild berries, and a touch of oak spice. On the palate, a really firm, dry tannic grip and the oak is still rather obvious. Really chewy but not astringent."

16+/20 points, Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, October 2020

"Nice blend, style, fruit, balance, a touch of austerity"

91-92/100 points, Bettane & Desseauve, France, April 2019

Drink with:

• Entrecote Bordelaise
• Roast duck
• Rack of lamb
• Tournedos with morel mushrooms
• Warm dark chocolate lava cake