Château Roc de Cambes, Cotes de Bourg, 2023
The Roc de Cambes hails from the clay, limestone soils above the Domaine de Cambes vineyard and always produces a denser more concentrated wine. It often matches its more illustrious partner, Tertre Roteboeuf. This is a really solid effort produced from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Wild and complex aromas of cocoa, balsam and Chambord are followed by a velvety core of sumptuous, plummy fruit. Supple and juicy, framed by sweet, toasty oak notes and dark, liquorice inflected fruits.
critic reviews
The 2023 Roc de Cambes offers attractive raspberry and wild strawberry fruit on the nose, not quite as complex as the best vintages encountered over the years, but there is plenty of vigor. The palate is medium-bodied, with pliant tannins, lightly spiced with sage and thyme, a healthy pinch of black pepper, and decent structure and freshness on the finish. This is promising, and it should evolve into a fine Roc de Cambes.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Roc de Cambes bursts with gregarious notes of juicy black cherries and black raspberries followed by hints of violets, tar, and wood smoke with a touch of garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut, with dense muscular fruit framed by firm grainy tannins and beautiful tension, finishing long and minerally. This is impressive!
High intensity of tannins, a ton of grip and energy through the palate, black fruits and liquorice notes are exuberant with clear personality. Delicious, and should be excellent value.