2018 Camensac
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Tasting notes
This is richly textured, 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 lenght and sllky 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 was in the chateau since 1997, first as an ouvrier), who replaced Clare Thomas-Chenard who left summer of this year. First vintage since 2016, as the 2017 was frost impacted (this is clearly a site that is 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.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Slightly dead-looking crimson. Spicy edge to the nose. Sweet and a little tarty. Because of the oak perhaps? Not quite refreshing enough. (JR)
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.
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot. 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. (JH)
About the producer
A stone’s throw from Saint-Julien, Ch. de Camensac was long underperforming, but – under the ownership of the Merlaut-Villars family – was totally restructured, and quality transformed.