Château Roc de Cambes, Cotes de Bourg,

Concentrated, with baked spice, fragrant cumin and bay leaf, plenty of black fruits, with the blanket of freshness that Mitjavile does so well, the push and pull of intensely ripe fruits and intensely fragrant spices and mint leaf. I love these Roc de Cambes with their Cabernet lick on the finish. This is not a vintage that I typiclly enjoy, and yet this manages to thoroughly convince - a trace of heat on the finish, well drawn out tannins and a freshness that balances things out. Voluptuous but with energy.

The 2018 Roc de Cambes has a deep garnet purple color. It is very oaky to start, overlaying notes of prunes, baked blackberries, and raisin cake, plus Chinese five spice and leather. Full-bodied, the palate is very firm, hard and chewy, with a rustic finish.

The 2018 Roc de Cambes has a generous bouquet of black cherries, warm embers, roasted chestnuts and light truffle scents that emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and gentle grip. I appreciate the harmony of this Roc de Cambes, though it needs some bottle age to rein the oak on the finish. Very fine.