Roc de Cambes 2012
France / Bordeaux / Bourg
Dark plum colour, this has a markedly different personality on the nose, higher toned with candied blueberry and red fruits, The palate sets up its stall with no holds barred, luscious, pure red and black fruit laced with oak and layered with vanilla cream. Supple, ripe and accessible there is also an underlying, firm structure, fruit-coated and well-integrated, as well as a freshness in the balance which will serve well during élevage.
"Luscious Merlot dominant red, enriched by judicious use of toasted oak"
- Merlot blend
- ABV 13%
- Drink now / lay down 2018 - 2028
- Cork
- Dry
- Vegetarian
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Roc de Cambes
This is his property in the Côtes de Bourg, a vineyard reminiscent of Tertre Roteboeuf, being as it is, a natural amphitheatre with a perfect aspect overlooking the Gironde River. It comprises fourteen hectares of old vines planted on the most highly reputed slope of the Côtes (les Croutes), where the heat of the sun on the slope is regulated by the effects of the estuary and cool clay/limestone soils. This makes for regular growth and wonderfully ripe, concentrated fruit.
Essentially François Mitjavile’s approach was to coax optimal quality in a region with great, but often unrealised, potential. He made Roc de Cambes flourish. With his son Louis (now owner of L’Aurage) and his daughter Nina (increasingly at the helm) his experience and philosophy from St Emilion come into play here. Together they control vigour and pick only when the grapes are super-ripe. They have succeeded in creating a wine which has led to many an embarrassing moment at blind tastings when compared to received “great” wines, first growths included. Roc de Cambes has a wow factor in spades.
Region
Bordeaux
Today’s Bordeaux’ wines retain a certain stoical classicism, whilst meeting more modern expectations of accessibility.