Roc de Cambes 2015

The 2015 Roc de Cambes looks to be the star of these three vintages. Made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a surprisingly structured, tight, vibrant effort that has a big perfume of black raspberries, cigar tobacco, spring flowers, and graphite. With plenty of tannins and beautiful purity of fruit as well as integrated acidity, it needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 15+ years.

Iron, smoke and tobacco wrap around a core of expressive red-fleshed fruit in the 2015 Roc de Cambes. Powerful and explosive, with a real sense of energy, the 2015 packs a serious punch. There is no shortage of intensity or richness here, but the Roc de Cambes is not quite as racy or unctuous as the Domaine des Cambes. The 20% Cabernet Franc helps keep a measure of freshness.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Roc de Cambes has very pure notes of cassis, blackberries and plums with nuances of cigar box, anise and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate offers generous fruit, great concentration and freshness with firm, grainy tannins and an herbal lift on the finish.