La Closerie de Camensac 2015

Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Drinking well today, the 2015 Camensac is a notable success in the vintage. Bursting with aromas of cherries, sweet berries, spices, vanilla pod and violets, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a lively and expressive core of fruit. There's no reason to wait.

Occupying some 50 hectares on the plateau in Saint-Laurent-Médoc, not far from Château Lagrange over the border in Saint-Julien, Château Camensac is another of the Médoc's improving estates. Today, under the management of Céline Villars-Foubet and Jean-Pierre Foubet, something of a renaissance is underway, with some 35 hectares of newly planted Cabernet Sauvignon replacing improperly situated Merlot on the two large gravel domes that represent the heart of the property. Since the estate's existing vine genetics were not deemed good enough, massale selections from elsewhere and high-quality clones have been chosen for these new plantings. In the winery, after an initial dalliance with a rather oaky, extracted style, Eric Boissenot has replaced the previous consultant enologist, and the approach now favors elegance and classicism. As the new Cabernet Sauvignon plantings start contributing to the blend, Camensac seems to improve every year, almost irrespective of vintage conditions, and it's clearly a property to watch, producing perfumed, supple wines of considerable appeal.

James Suckling

Plenty of spicy and toasty oak on offer here with underlying plum aromas and flavors. A very fresh palate with great depth and detail. Drink or hold.