Château de Camensac 2023

Delicately fragrant, red-fruited; approachable on the attack, fruity and finely structured, slightly harsh tannins disturb the overall impression.

After tasting this wine twice, I came away with a sense of fresh meadow grass with spring flowers and crunchy red fruit, almost but not tipping into underripe: in sum, a friendly, chipper wine that may not age for the long haul but will deliver plenty of pleasure at an upscale summer barbecue. Indeed, the barrel ageing will broaden the palate, and the price is competitive.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot. Cask sample. Cabernet nose. Plenty of freshness. Palate round on attack then firm on the finish. Acidity a little pronounced, the mid-palate a touch lean. Dry and chewy on the finish. Robust. (JL)

The 2023 Château de Camensac has a commendable, well-defined bouquet, classic Médoc style with black fruit and light gravel and tobacco scents. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm but fine tannins, fresh with a fine bead of acidity and a sapid finish. Good potential and a slight improvement from its barrel showing.

Savory herbs with black currants, cedar, flowers, and tobacco blend perfectly in this chewy, fruity wine that will offer easy pleasure in its youth. A year or two in the cellar will add even more to the wine. Drink from 2027–2038. 89–91 pts.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Floral, red cherries, some peach, red berries and ripe plums in the background. Lean, red cherries, subtle tannins, mineral with a delicately leafy finish.

A delicious Camensac, tasted both at the estate as part of a vertical and within an appellation En Primeur tasting. This is well balanced, strikingly fragrant with crushed red rose petals, fine and slightly austere tannins as is often the case with this estate, ruby red colour, with spiced plum and floral Cabernet character. 40% new oak, 45hl/ha yields, shows the progress made at this property in recent vintages.

Score: 88–90. A velvety nose like a purple rose petal. Ripe red and purple berries lend their juiciness to blueberry muffin aromas. Pure and agile on the palate, suave, intense, with fairly pronounced acidity and tannins.