Wine Advisor
Roc de Cambes 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Roc de Cambes has a potent nose with macerated dark cherries, iodine and blueberry, a little Napa in style, nicely delineated and pure, yet showy. The palate is rounded and smooth on the entry. There is a lot of extraction here with decadent ripe black and red fruit, fine acidity and a spicy finish that fans out nicely. This represents modern style Saint Emilion that is well made for the long-term, although here it falls short of the promise it showed in barrel. Tasted January 2014.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Roc de Cambes has a gorgeous plum, baked cherry and mulberry scented bouquet with fine definition and sense of mineralite, quite Pomerol-like. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tensile tannins, great precision and focus here, fresh and lively towards the precise finish. Wonderful finesse and composure here...this is destined to be a great Roc de Cambes. Tasted April 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2010 Roc de Cambes has a very pure nose of black cherries, plum and iodine. It is well defined, quite elegant rather than intense, becoming more floral with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a lovely, subtle opening of dark plum, mulberry and a little spice. The tannins are refined and remain in the background, finely interwoven into the texture, whilst the finish is understated and somehow, effortless. This is a great Roc de Cambes that has fulfilled its promise from barrel. Tasted November 2012.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Roc de Cambes opens with leather and animal notions over a core of baked plums and Black Forest cake plus suggestions of bouquet garni and tilled soil. Full-bodied, the palate is solidly constructed with firm, chewy tannins and loads of freshness supporting the generous black fruit preserves, finishing on a compelling earthy/meaty note.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
Very deep ruby. Sexy aromas of black cherry, plum and cinnamon are lifted by a hint of violet. Less sweet and rich in the mouth than the 2009, but with an attractive violet note complicating the black cherry and spicy plum flavors. Spreads out impressively on the broad back end, finishing with very supple tannins. Another superb Roc de Cambes in the making, but this will need some time in the cellar. Drink from 2018 through 2030.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2010 Roc de Cambes has a high-toned floral bouquet with rose petal and violet scents, but missing some complexity and delineation. The aromatics feel “blocky”. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, quite extracted towards the finish with dates and figgy notes infusing the black fruit. It just does not kick on and lacks some tension. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.
About the Producer
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.
1989(1)1990(1)1998(2)2000(1)2001(2)2005(1)2006(3)2008(1)2009(4)
Package Size
12 x 75cl6 x 1.5L
