Chateau de Camensac

Chateau Camensac is one of the three fifth growths that is not located in the famous communes of St-Estephe, St-Julien, Pauillac or Margaux. In 1964 the estate was purchased by the Forner brothers, who had experience making wines in Rioja, owning Marques de Caceres.

With extensive replanting of 85 hectares of vineyards, renovation of winery and engagement of oenologist Emile Peynaud as consultant, the quality of wines improved. In 1990s the wines were regarded as good value once again.

Subsequently Michel Rolland took up the consultancy role, but in early 2007, Rolland and Camensac parted way. The vineyards are located on a gravelly elevation in St-Lauren-Medoc, in the Haut-Medoc appellation.

The plots are individually managed, with a planting density of 10000 vines per hectare, of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Some natural fertilizers are used, with yield control through pruning and green harvesting.

The grapes are fermented in stainless steel vats with temperature control, with maceration of 25 days or even longer. The grand vin is Chateau Camensac, aged in 70% new oak for 20 months. Annual production is around 20000 cases, with half coming from the second wine La Closerie de Camensac.

I have recently tasted the 2010 vintage and below is my tasting note:

Appearance
Bright and clear, the wine is of deep intensity purple color, with legs.

Nose
Clean, with medium intensity aromas of black fruit such as blackberry, cassis and bilberry, sweet spice of cloves, pungent spice of licorice, oak notes of cedar, kernel notes of cocoa, MLF notes of cream. The wine is youthful.

Palate
Dry with medium acidity, the wine has medium (+) tannin, ripe and a bit dusty in texture. Medium in alcohol, it has full body with medium intensity flavors of black fruit such as blackcurrant and blackberry, oak notes of cedar, kernel notes of cocoa, pungent spice of licorice. The wine is of medium finish.

Conclusion
Good quality Haut-Medoc wine with reasonable concentration and good complexity, and showing good ripeness of black fruit, with good malolactic characters. The palate is elegant and having good structure, with fair concentration and a reasonable length on the finish. It is still too young to drink and can further develop for another 3-5 years.