Château Cambon la Pelouse 2017

The 2017 Cambon la Pelouse is deep garnet-purple colored with aromas of baked plum, stewed tea and blackcurrant pastilles with notes of bay leaves and pencil shavings. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and chewy with a decent core and lively finish.

This packs in some bramble, black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors, harnessing them with a singed alder frame and keeping them moving along with fresh acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2025. 13,333 cases made.

This vibrates and hovers over the palate - a good sign at this early stage. It is tight and austere and would benefit from riper fruit, but there is some good extraction going on here. It has a classic Médoc signature of mint leaf, cassis bud and liquorice, but it's just a touch raw. The Petit Verdot is really dominant right now, but it will soften and develop in the bottle, and has ageing potential.

A well-priced, easy-drinking, soft-textured, medium-bodied wine that is already showing its earthy, bright fruit and tobacco charms. This is not for aging; however, it is perfect for near-term consumption.

Dark garnet with a lighter ruby rim. Classic nose with discreet oak, coffee bean, cassis and dark berries. Medium weight, yet with good density; a youthful texture but ripe tannin and fresh acidity, crushed berry and tobacco flavors with fine length.

Purple garnet. An intoxicating forest-berry cocktail paired with delicate violet perfume, with Virginia tobacco and blackcurrant in the background. On the elegant palate, a buttery-smooth texture and tannins already perfectly integrated. A focused finish of sour cherry and verbena, enhanced by a refined bitter note. A real charmer that will soon deliver great drinking pleasure! The estate was sold last year, so it’s wise to stock up.

Kunz barrel sample 18: (54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot) Fresh, vegetal, herbal bouquet, red berries, green wood. Slender, firm palate with light fruit, delicate structure, sandy tannins, spicy finish.

(54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot) Fresh, vegetal, herbal bouquet, red berries, green wood. Slim, firm palate with light fruit, delicate structure, sandy tannins, spicy finish. 16/20 2022 - 2030

The predominantly Cabernet components show a slight firmness on the finish. Let’s give it a bit of time to integrate.

Juicy, fresh, indulgent, sappy, tense, with supple tannins, lively, with a long finish.

The nose offers subtle power, a fine grain and a very delicate dusty edge. It reveals notes of wild strawberry, blackberry and, more slightly, blackcurrant, combined with touches of Sichuan pepper, spices and fine hints of fresh leather. The palate is fruity, balanced, and offers a juicy/slightly crisp backbone, precision, a delicate indulgence, and freshness. On the palate, this wine shows notes of fleshy/juicy blackberry, juicy blackcurrant and, more slightly, juicy raspberry, combined with a touch of small red berries as well as fine hints of licorice, fresh leather and spices. The tannins are very finely firm. A very discreet hint of mocha lingers on the finish.

Fruity wine with a moderately intense nose, pleasant and slightly light on the palate. The vineyard was affected by frost by 35%.

90–92. Barrel Sample. This spicy wine is structured and firm, with concentrated yet juicy cassis flavors. The tannins at the end promise plenty of aging. Drink from 2022.