Roc de Cambes is a jewel owned by François Mitjavile, highly renowned for Tertre Roteboeuf Grand Cru in St Emilion. This is his property in the Côtes de Bourg, a vineyard which is a natural amphitheatre with a perfect aspect overlooking the Gironde River. It comprises fourteen hectares of old vines planted on the most highly reputed slope of the Côtes (les Croutes), where the heat of the sun on the slope is regulated by the effects of the estuary and cool clay/limestone soils. This makes for regular growth and wonderfully ripe, concentrated fruit.
Essentially François Mitjavile’s approach was to coax optimal quality in a region with great, but often unrealised, potential. He made Roc de Cambes flourish. With his son Louis (now owner of L’Aurage) and his daughter Nina (increasingly at the helm) his experience and philosophy from St Emilion come into play here. Together they control vigour and pick only when the grapes are super-ripe. They have succeeded in creating a wine which outshines a lot of 1er Cru St Emilion.
This Merlot blend is supple, accessible and welcoming. It has opulent and ripe fruit; beautifully textured and rich in plump cherry fruit, complemented by sweet oak.