CHÂTEAU ROC DE CAMBES

The 2017 Roc de Cambes is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. Rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous power the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Macerated dark cherries, sage, spice, star anise, orange zest, mint and new leather give the 2017 an exotic, racy feel that is hard to fully describe. In the glass, the 2017 possesses off the charts aromatic intensity and tons of pure fruit richness, while the 100% new oak is barely perceptible. Readers lucky enough to find it will enjoy a wine of tremendous character and personality. This is an absolutely stunning wine from Francois and Nina Mitjavile. Drinking range: 2022 - 2047 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Mar 2020)

The 2017 Roc de Cambes has a vivid bouquet with ebullient redcurrant and cranberry fruit that "jump" out of the glass, yet the aromatics remain tender and graceful, to use two words uttered by François Mitjavile in describing the vintage. The palate is very well balanced with filigree tannins, dark berry fruit laced with clove and bay leaf, just a hint of tobacco on the aftertaste. Very fine and very classy. Drinking range: 2021 - 2042 Rating: 93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2020)

The 2017 Roc de Cambes, for a long time we considered changing the blend of Roc de Cambes by pulling up the Cabernet, but in the end we kept it the same blend as it is the character of the wine. This is matured in 100% new oak (although it is impossible to tell.) It has a very clean and pure bouquet, perfumed blackberry and bilberry fruit, a touch of seawater in the background. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannin, notes of mulberry, blackberry, brine and touches of brown spice. Like the Domaine des Cambes there is fine energy in situ and it feels long and full of tension on the classy, quite peppery finish. Drinking range: 2020 - 2035 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)