Château de Camensac 2021

Fragrant, perfumed, red-fruited and rather slender, with lightly powdery tannins and medium length.

The 2021 Camensac opens in the glass with notes of dark berries and cherries mingled with scents of cigar wrapper and pen ink. It is medium-bodied, with a fleshy attack that segues into a somewhat firm, angular palate that displays a touch less plenitude than I perceived from barrel.

Ripe and solidly built, with warmed cassis and singed vanilla nicely melded against a backdrop of sandalwood and potpourri. Shows light chalky minerality that lingers on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030. 17,776 cases made.

Smooth and supple, fruity and fun, lifted strawberries and cherries fill the mouth before quite salty, mineral tannins take their place. It’s clean and pure with lovely finesse to the expression, even if the fruit doesn’t quite persist, but it does have a long finish. This will be great with time; it has potential.

The 2021 Château de Camensac doesn’t really pass muster on the nose. It’s rather meager and bereft of fruit concentration—ephemeral. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannins, quite dry and austere, with a fleeting finish that disappears before you’ve even said “Bonjour.”

Deep ruby-garnet colour with purple reflections, broad ochre rim. Nuances of red cherries with delicate floral notes in the background, some cassis, some hibiscus. Juicy, elegant, notes of red berries, silky tannins, good freshness, mineral and good persistence, a finesse-rich food wine with fine sweetness on the finish, already approachable.

The 2021 Château De Camensac is rock-solid. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 34% Merlot, it has spicy red and black fruits as well as medium-bodied richness, soft, integrated tannins, good mid-palate depth, and some classic tobacco, cedar pencil, and spice background nuances. It's well worth enjoying over the coming decade.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 43 hl/ha, production 213,000 bottles) Herbal, restrained bouquet, red and blue berries, wood. Firm, medium-bodied palate with a slender structure, fine sandy tannins, medium to light aromatics, dry finish.

(66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 43 hl/ha, production 213,000 bottles) Herbaceous, restrained bouquet, red and blue berries, wood. Firm, medium-bodied palate with a slender structure, fine sandy tannins, medium to light aromatics, dry finish. 16/20 2028 - 2040

Returns to an old-school alcohol level, and overall this is an old-school vintage. Sleek, elegant and finessed, savoury but austere, with cranberry, orange peel, cloves and raspberry fruit. 43 hl/ha yield. Higher Cabernet in the blend than usual. Valentin Perrot technical director along with cellar master Christian Alquie. 40% new oak. Harvest from September 28 to October 6.

The 2021 de Camensac has a medium to deep garnet-purple color. Notes of damp earth and dried herbs slowly emerge from the glass, giving way to a core of stewed cherries and fallen leaves. The light-bodied palate is uncomplicated, offering a soft texture and a refreshing finish.

If the term “drinkability” were to be accepted, it would be a perfect illustration of this Camensac with its lovely fluidity on the palate. A fine, supple wine, yet with fruit and a very integrated finish. The cru is now well positioned and has found its cruising speed.

A soft, shy nose of purple fruit. The wine shows a full-bodied, broad and harmonious palate, with palpable energy. A crowd-pleaser.

Camensac 2021 reveals shy fruity nuances within a woody context that is present but not dominant. Mirroring the bouquet, the palate is rather discreet. The tannins provide good support, while the aromatic expression remains reserved. It’s the fleshy side of the tannins that opens up some prospects and ensures good balance.