Chateau de Camensac 2018

Intense aromatics, herbal, also fruity-spicy, straightforward attack, classic in structure, firm, slightly austere tannins, long finish, balanced, with style.

Lovely deep ruby colour with excellent oak finesse on the aromatics, not overpowering but adding layers of smoke against cassis and black cherry fruits. You can find both nuance and complexity in this wine. This is gourmet as it opens with black chocolate and liquorice also. Clear interest and potential for ageing.

Blueberries and dried currants on the nose with savory oyster shell, tobacco and graphite. Dried violets, too. It’s medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Layered and flavorful. Balanced. 55% cabernet sauvignon and 45% merlot. Try from 2023.

The 2018 de Camensac has retained its attractive aromatics, needing just a little coaxing to reveal blackberry, bilberry, light marine scents and those iris petals that I remarked upon out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with good backbone and well-judged acidity. I admire the substance of this de Camensac, and there is wonderful salinity on the finish. This comes recommended and I can see it aging well.

Much better in the bottle than in the barrel, the wine is medium-bodied, with a cedar, tobacco and red currant profile. Forward, soft, fresh, fruity, and with a classic lean to its chewy, spicy red-fruit finish. This is the best vintage of Chateau de Camensac I have ever tasted.

Deep ruby, purple glints, faintly lighter at the rim. Invigorating scents of savoury wood, a hint of cedar and liquorice, with red cherry undertones and nuances of orange zest. Medium-bodied, ripe plums, present, integrated tannins, mineral, followed by a hint of nougat. Needs a little more time. A versatile food companion. (2025-2035)

Kunz barrel sample 19: herbal, slender bouquet, red berries, wood. Firm, dry palate with sandy tannins, firm structure, dry finish.

Sweet, velvety, creamy, finely opulent bouquet with cherries, olives, bananas, liquorice, mint. Powerful, aromatic palate with rich, velvety fruit, fine tannins, an opulent, finely muscular structure, intense aromatics, and a long, full finish. 18/20 2025 - 2040

Richly textured and velvety, with dark black cherry and damson fruit character, reflecting the higher alcohol typical of the vintage. Violet floral notes add balance, and this has length and silky tannins, with attractive mint and bitter fennel on the finish. 60% new oak. Eric Boissenot consultant, Valentin Perrot technical director along with cellar master Christian Alquie (who has been at the chateau since 1997, first as an ouvrier), who replaced Clare Thomas-Chenard who left in the summer of this year. First vintage since 2016, as 2017 was frost-impacted (this is clearly a site prone to it, as previous owners had put the Cabernet Sauvignon up on the higher spots—not such good gravel soils, but less frost risk. The current owners did the sensible thing and put the Cabernet back where the gravel is best, but it carries the risk of frost). Harvest September 24 to October 10.

The 2018 de Camensac has a deep garnet-purple color. It offers cedar and sautéed herbs over a core of cassis, black raspberries, and warm plums, plus a waft of cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegant and refreshing, with lightly chewy tannins and an earthy finish.

2018 marks a major success for the cru, showing a lovely fleshy palate with volume and depth. Very charming.

Deep garnet red. Pleasant, inviting bouquet with spicy and fruity notes. It stands out for the freshness of its fruit, with nuances of raspberry and a hint of licorice wood. The attack confirms its qualities, revealing a juicy, perfectly balanced wine. I would even say it is sleek, with the necessary balance and density. A pleasant, seductive, and convincing wine.

Dark, intense, purple color. Medium-intensity nose with ripe, fairly fragrant fruit. Soft on the attack, the wine unfolds very fruity and dense before turning a bit firm on the finish. A pity. Normal length.

This estate is regaining its rightful place in the prestigious crus classés. Richly textured, this latest release shows luscious blackberry fruits and layers of firm tannins. The wine will age well, so wait to drink until 2026.