Magical place!
Tertre Roteboeuf's subsoil - five different types of clay: white, yellow, brown, green, and blue
My first meeting with François Mitjavile and Château Tertre Roteboeuf took place in May 1987, following my reading of wine expert Robert Parker's glowing review of this small property in "The Wine Advocate". Meeting the articulate and eloquent François Mitjavile and tasting his wine exceeded all my expectations. His explanations about soil, grape varieties, and winemaking were so captivating that four hours flew by in no time. I fell in love with his exquisite wine from the very first sip!
This Grand Cru property is situated in the commune of St. Laurent-des-Combes, a few kilometers southeast of the picturesque town of Saint-Émilion. It is a small wine-grower house dating back to the 18th century. The property's name may sound a little strange, but it goes back many centuries to a time before vineyards and vines existed. The hillside was previously used to feed cattle, and the name "Roteboeuf" originates from that.
François Mitjavile took over Tertre Roteboeuf from his father-in-law (the Gilard family) in 1978; the 1978 vintage was the first he made entirely by himself. Before that, he had worked for two years at the famous Château Figeac and then spent several years at Tertre Roteboeuf to learn as much as possible about winemaking.
The 1985 vintage was the turning point for François Mitjavile on the wine scene. A new cult wine was born, and since then, the quality has continued to improve, allowing Tertre Roteboeuf to easily compete with Premiers Grand Cru Classés in Saint-Émilion, the best 2nd Crus Classés in Haut-Médoc, and even challenge First Growths.
TERTRE ROTEBOEUF
5.7 ha of vines are planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Merlot vines are 45 years old, while Cabernet Franc ones are five years older. The subsoil consists of four kinds of clay resting on the bed of limestones. This combination of subsoil, which is typical for the majority of vineyards in Saint-Émilion "Côtes" (slopes), is described as "cold soil" because clay needs a long time to be warmed up, and limestones are always humid and cold. This means grapes can take advantage of the sun and reach perfect maturity very late.
When skins are ripe, grapes reach a sugar level of 14–15% alcohol, and "everybody" is happy. This cold soil is created for Merlot but not Cabernet Sauvignon, which prefers the so-called "hot soil" (gravel and quartz pebbles, which reflect sun heat at vines) in Haut-Medoc and Graves.
Francois Mitjavile waits until very late with the harvest; the grapes must be perfectly ripe, resulting in raisin-like lusciousness (Tertre Roteboeuf's trademark). Therefore, he risks his grapes being destroyed if bad weather comes. Until now, the Gods of temperature have been quite nice to him; several of Francois Mitjavile's vintages could easily have been labeled "vendange tardive".
This very late harvest, combined with long alcoholic fermentation and extraction at 35°C, should result in a powerful, sappy, well-structured wine with much fruit sweetness and meatiness, where fruit and tannin make an extremely harmonious "marriage". Fermentation at 35°C is associated with a significant risk of the whole thing turning to acetic acid. Still, Francois Mitjavile says that "his" yeast cells can easily cope with such a high fermentation temperature. Another characteristic of his winemaking is the low yield per hectare – max. 36 hl.
He will very much have the personality and character of soil conditions in his wine, even if this costs him some complexity, but he doesn't want to keep the same style in every vintage at any price. "Let us see what soil and weather have cooked together this year and get the best possible out of it. The miracle comes first of all from Mother Nature, he says.
In the mid-'90s, he was presented with the following statement from a taster: "Monsieur Mitjavile, in 1988, you made an elegant wine, and in 1989, an opulent wine". The answer came immediately, "I am not responsible; the weather was!" Francois Mitjavile stands rock solid by his views. An oenologist's advice to filter the super-concentrated 1989 was turned down immediately because it would leave many deposits (so what?).
What's the secret behind Tertre Roteboeuf's and Roc de Cambes' success? Francois Mitjavile's work is exceptionally well thought out, and his love for wine and intuition drives him. In addition to this, he has a lot of courage and self-belief. Francois Mitjavile often takes risks, which other winemakers in Bordeaux do not dare. At the same time, he is incredibly self-confident and focused. It makes him a complex winemaker whose skills are close to genius-like. Francois Mitjavile walks in the vineyard at night with his hands on his back and talks lovingly to the vines.
It is indisputable that Tertre Roteboeuf and Roc de Cambes have Francois Mitjavile's personal "signature" because their style is different from many Bordeaux wines. This distinct style (raisin-like lusciousness and lots of perfectly ripe fruit) acts like an ultra-strong magnet for many wine lovers, resulting in enormous demand.
Since the 1994 vintage, he has removed the word "Château" from the labels of both wines. This famous word sounded pretentious and did not fit his working style.
He is acknowledged and respected by most château owners in Bordeaux (the big "guns" included). However, this was not the case at the end of the '80s. At that time, he was considered an odd person with strange ideas. More winemakers of his kind, and Bordeaux has absolutely nothing to fear.
I visited Tertre Roteboeuf in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, and every year since 1995. Every visit has been a great learning experience, not only because of his magnificent wines but also because Francois Mitjavile is a very cultivated person who knows much about things other than wine, like culture and politics.
Francois Mitjavile (left) and me - taken during Commanderie de Bordeaux dinner in Copenhagen, November 2013
In November 2013, Francois Mitjavile visited Copenhagen, Denmark, to conduct two tastings: Commanderie de Bordeaux, the Copenhagen chapter, and the Danish wine journalists. Over two days, I tasted the following vintages of Tertre Roteboeuf: 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1998, and 1997, and several vintages of Roc de Cambes: 2012, 2011, 2006, 2005, 2000, and 1998.
Eleven years later, in November 2024, I arranged an unforgettable vertical tasting of 21 vintages from Tertre Roteboeuf at the excellent restaurant Møntergade in Copenhagen. We sampled vintages 1982, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2022, along with Francois Mitjavile’s another property, Roc de Cambes, in 2003 and 2005 vintage. Francois Mitjavile traveled from Saint Emilion to take part in the vertical tasting event.
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Tertre Roteboeuf 2023 (barrel sample) 97p
Tasted in April 2024. Excellent news for fans of flamboyantly flavored fruity wines from this property! Francois Mitjaville has again crafted an iconic vintage! The wine had a powerful aroma of black cherries and violets on the nose. The palate was rich and seductive, silky, and had excellent complexity and seamless structure. Sophisticated touch. The finish was long and caressing.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2022 98-99p
Tasted three times - last time in November 2024. Consistent notes. It had an intense nose of black and red berries, an extensive palette of flavors and complexity, and an excellent mid-palate. It was seamless, with silky berries, grained tannin, a sophisticated touch, and a long, caressing finish. Excellent effort, as usual. This was in April 2023. One year later, it showed even better, with even more intensity and richness. The same after bottling, so it's a dream wine!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2021 (barrel sample) 96-97p
Tasted in April 2022. It had a sensual and extraordinary nose of black and red berries, an enormous palette of flavors, complexity, and an excellent midpalate. Seamless, silky berries, grained tannin, and sophisticated touch. It was a long, caressing finish. It is a stunning and unique wine, which makes it a strong candidate for the wine of the vintage.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2020 (barrel sample) 98-100p
Tasted twice - last time in November 2021. Consistent notes. 80% Merlot + 20% Cabernet Franc. 15% alcohol. Incredibly perfumed nose of dark cherries/wild cherries/morello cherries. The palate was a paradise with outstanding purity, beautiful berries, tannin, drive, and complexity. The high alcohol content is hidden in this wine's skirts and is not noticeable! An eternal and sublime effort from a magician winemaker, Francois Mitjaville!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2019 99-100p
Tasted twice - last time in November 2021. Consistent notes. 80% Merlot + 20% Cabernet Franc. A thick nose was full of flower fragrances and blackberry aroma. Violets, wild cherries, cocoa powder, and chocolate. Creamy all the way. It's a magical wine with great flair, sophisticated touch, fatness, seamless structure, and silkiness. Again, an exceptional wine from Francois Mitjavile hits the roof! Wow!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2018 100p
Tasted three times (twice from the barrel, once from the bottle) - last time in April 2021. Consistent notes. Francois Mitjavile keeps on making unforgettable wine year after year. This wine magician seems to know precisely how to produce mind-boggling wines. It's so seamless, precise, focused, aromatic, and perfectly made that you can't believe it. I lack words to describe it further. An imposing nose of dark cherries/wild cherries/blueberries and blackberries. Simply surrealistically rich wine!100p (99-100p).
Tertre Roteboeuf 2017 96p
Tasted three times - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. It's just magical wine from the hands of a real magician winemaker in Bordeaux. It has a fantastic nose of black fruit with immense delicacy and charisma. Subtle and creamy, with great complexity and depth. It is the wine of the vintage for me, and if you don't believe me, it will undoubtedly be among the top ten wines! It was a bit lighter and closed after bottling at the end of September 2019.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2016 99p
Tasted five times - last time in November 2024. Consistent notes. This wine was purely magical and extravagant, with a fabulously scented nose and richness on the palate. You drink silk here! It's a bit more distinguished than 2015.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2015 99p
Tasted four times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. It may be a long-standing cliché, but yet again, Francois Mitjavile produced one of the best wines of the 2015 vintage. Stunning appearance, complete and refined, excellent structure, and incredible personality.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2014 (barrel sample) 95+p
Tasted in March 2015. A fabulous aroma of cherries and chocolate, remarkable structure, acidity, and complexity. Yet another excellent wine from St. Emilion's magician winemaker!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2013 (barrel sample) 93p
Tasted twice - last time in March 2015. Consistent notes. This wine was gracious, aromatic, sublime, dense, ripe, and fresh. Impeccable winemaking.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2012 95+p
Tasted six times - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. This wine had a fabulous nose of black cherries and blueberries, great freshness, beautiful balance, velvety fruit, and tannin. Fabulously constructed wine that shows great class and style. Among the best wines of the vintage.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2011 96p
Tasted six times - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. Black cherries covered by Valrhona chocolate all over the place, cocoa flavor. Excellent depth, length, and finish. Mid-palate is incredibly intense. Exceptional effort and another bull's eye from the magician winemaker, Francois Mitjavile. Immense quality, without any doubt.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2010 100p
Tasted six times - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. This wine is no less than phenomenal after bottling. It's the fifth time I've tasted it, and aging in oak has kicked this wine even higher in quality. What intensity, opulence, richness, length, depth, velvety fruit and tannin, and silkiness it has. Wow!!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2009 96p
I tasted it six times, the last time in April 2022. Consistent notes. This wine displayed fabulous aromas of wild cherries and cocoa powder, seamless texture, stunning balance, great complexity, and a sophisticated touch. A long, long finish underlined its beauty. This was in 2012. Almost ten years later, this wine is still performing excellently!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2008 94+p
Tasted three times - last time in November 2013. Consistent notes. It is intense, mineral, and muscular without being overdone, with splendid fruit sweetness, sappiness, and well-balanced. It shows a good level of complexity, depth, and nuances. It's classic stuff from Tertre Roteboeuf, which needs to age.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2007 89p
Tasted six times - last time in November 2013. Not consistent notes. It is an aromatic, round wine that is quite fleshy, showing silky fruit and silky tannins, and its finishing is soft and tasty. Very seductive wine with delightful balance. It was not like that in November 2013 - tasted it twice in two days. Pleasantly fruity on the nose, clearly not from a vintage with much sun, of a bit of a "wet dog" smell, slightly aggressive on the palate, light, and a little four-squared. I tasted this wine three years ago, and it was much better – the downhill ride had just started.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2006 95p
Tasted five times - last time in November 2013. Consistent notes. It has a very aromatic, intense nose of black fruit, complex and rich, excellently showing on the palate with richness and depth, great finesse and elegance, great complexity, silky tannin, and a long, long finish. Incredible wine if you consider the problems of the vintage. Another magic stuff from Francois Mitjavile!
Tertre Roteboeuf 2005 99-100p
Tasted eleven times - last time in May 2015. Consistent notes. This wine has a strong aroma of dark cherries and blueberries, stunningly luscious, silky tannins, and is refined and sophisticated everywhere. Enormously rich and multidimensional. Phenomenal on the nose and palate! The depth, richness, and length of this wine are mind-boggling! A dream wine for a wine lover! It's already a legend and one of the best vintages ever produced here. This wine has already been eternal since its birth.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2004 94p
Tasted seven times - last time in April 2019. Consistent notes. Once again, Francois Mitjavile delivered an incredibly sensual and sophisticated wine with perfectly ripe black fruit, which was impeccably balanced and had a delightful aftertaste. Great wine. In October 2012, it was charming, elegant, subtle, balanced, long, and had a fruity and caressing finish. It was closed and tight in April 2019.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2003 90p
Tasted four times - last time in November 2013. Not consistent notes. It is a pretty special wine that reflects the scorching weather conditions during the summer. Very licorice, figs, and heated fruit everywhere, but not overripe. Plummy flavors. A well-balanced wine with fine length. It's not my cup of tea, and I honestly mean this wine isn't typical of Tertre Roteboeuf.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2002 90p
I tasted it three times, the last time in April 2007. Consistent notes. It is very aromatic, with a lovely aroma of red fruit. It is a captivating and charming wine, light and ready to drink. 2008-2014.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2001 93p
Tasted four times - last time in November 2021. Not consistent notes. Some wine journalists believe this vintage is better than 2000 at several Right Bank properties. This is certainly not the case here, as this wine has yet to reach the heights of 2000. Sweet fruit and tannin - yes, rich and sophisticated - yes, complex – yes, splendid balance – yes, great intensity, concentration, and length – no.
Tertre Roteboeuf 2000 99p
Tasted seven times - last time in November 2024. Consistent notes. A mastodont of wine, master class, and a fantastic effort. Its style is like 1998 but with greater richness, depth, complexity, intensity, and concentration. Incredibly sophisticated and refined. Mega long aftertaste, which lasts more than one minute. Heaven!
Tertre Roteboeuf 1998 98p
Tasted four times - last time in November 2024. Consistent notes. Tasted during early summer in 2000, this wine's complexity, richness, and raisiny lusciousness were overwhelming. A fabulous aroma of superbly concentrated berries with a rarely-seen degree of depth and finesse. Extremely dense on the palate and with the aftertaste, which lasts several minutes. It was like driving in an expensive sports car (Porsche or Lamborghini), purchased at half the price! Thirteen years later, in November 2013, it was aristocratic on the nose, with excellent intensity of sweet cherries, rich and intense, great sweetness, great complexity, sensual and silky, luscious, tannin and fruit are perfectly integrated. Incredibly long, fruity finish. Magic stuff from Francois Mitjavile!
Tertre Roteboeuf 1997 87p
Tasted in November 2013. Round, charming, light, and soft. Very flavorful, tasty, and well-balanced. It's perfectly drinkable now, and it won't get any better.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1994 86p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2007. Not consistent notes and even the magician touch of Francois Mitjavile couldn't help this vintage that much. The awful weather and rain diluted the wine, making it edgy and light. Drink it soon.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1993 86p
Tasted three times - last time in April 2007. Not consistent notes. The same impression as 1994.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1991 88p
Tasted in April 2002. It was a big surprise considering how difficult this vintage was to make due to spring frost and rain during harvest. Full of life, surprisingly well-concentrated, harmonious, pleasant, and tasty fruit. It should be consumed before the end of 2007.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1990 94p
Tasted four times - last time in November 2011. Not consistent notes. Still youthful with an extensive and sparkling nose of black fruit (blackberries), a perfectly ripe one. Chewy and meaty on the palate with striking freshness, balance, and a caressing aftertaste. Remarkable depth and structure, with plenty of perfectly ripe blackberries/blueberries on the palate. Fabulous wine and a sure bet for keeping 20 years more! This was in November 2011. In December 2016, it turned out blurred, light, and somewhat mute. 92p.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1989 95p
Tasted five times - last time in December 2006. Consistent notes. It still needs to develop fully. Sun-ripe fruit and fat tannin complement each other perfectly, with deep structure, a sophisticated touch on the palate, and a long aftertaste, although with a bitter sensation in the end. Outstanding wine. It can be consumed now but will be on top in 3-5 years.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1988 93p
I tasted it twice, the last time in March 2000. Consistent notes. It is an incredibly entertaining wine with beautiful balance, perfectly ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, a raisiny scent, and great intensity. It has a lovely structure and impressive length on the palate. It's delicious and you can easily hold on for 3-5 years.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1987 89p
Tasted in October 2007. Lovely wine, elegant, raisiny, still very much alive. Fine winemaking. Perfect for drinking now.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1985 90p
Tasted three times - last time in November 1998. Consistent notes. Deep red. Solid, spicy raspberries, raisiny sweetness, well-composed and refined, long on the palate. Fabulous wine, which is at its peak now (November 1998). The first vintage was when Tertre Roteboeuf "enjoyed" new oak (50% new oak, not 100% as Robert Parker mentions in his book about Bordeaux). Francois Mitjavile's importer in England convinced him that using new oak would give the wine unseen possibilities, and this Englishman also sponsored the purchase of new barriques.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1982 88p
Tasted three times - last time in November 2024. Not consistent notes. Dark-red, raspberry-marmalade, delicious, fine length on the palate. Splendid and ready-to-drink wine that won't gain from further keeping. I can't stop thinking about how much better this wine could have been if it had been "treated" with new oak. Francois Mitjavile believes that 1982 was the first vintage where his ideas on how wine should be made came true.
It's always great to find out how a fine wine ages. The first time I tasted this wine was 26 years ago, and I wrote at that time that it wouldn't benefit from further cellaring and rated it 88p. When I retasted it in April 2019, it was much better than 21 years ago (!) and had a very significant soil character of the property. Terrific wine! 93p. Then, during the vertical in November 2024, it reminded me of the bottle tasted in 1998. There are bottle variations.
Tertre Roteboeuf 1981 89p
I tasted it twice, the last time in October 2007. Consistent notes. The yield was only 11 hl/ha! It had a red-brown color with a delicate balance, displayed subtle, raisiny, elegant, spicy raspberry fruit, and was round and delicate. This was a delightful tasting experience.
During several visits to TR between 1987 and 2013, I also tasted the following vintages of Tertre Roteboeuf: 1976, 1979, 1983, 1984, and 1986, which all merited ratings between 87 and 89p.
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ROC DE CAMBES
At the beginning of 1987, Francois Mitjavile received a telephone call from a close friend: "Francois, an exciting property is for sale in Côtes de Bourg." The next day, he went to Roc de Cambes, looked at the site in the pouring rain, put his finger in the soil, and analyzed the "sample." After ultra-short thinking, he said, "I am buying it."
The Côtes de Bourg district is about 30 km southwest of Saint-Émilion, on the right bank of Dordogne-river. Most of the wines here are rustic and simple, but you also find a handful of well-made, concentrated, and complex wines at reasonable prices.
The Roc de Cambes vineyard is located on slopes, forming an almost oval shape down the valley. It is separated from the right bank of the Dordogne River by Domaine de Cambes, which is part of the original Roc de Cambes. The vineyard stretches from the slope almost down to the water.
Twelve ha of vines are planted, with 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec. The soil is a blend of chalk and clay, and the vines are 50 years old. The vineyard lies near the river, ensuring a stable microclimate and preventing winter or summer frost from attacking the vines.
When Francois Mitjavile bought Roc de Cambes, it was in quite bad shape, and he immediately began renovating and modernizing it. Experiences gained from work at Tertre Roteboeuf were the main reason he made Roc de Cambes the unrivaled top wine of the district in just two years.
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Roc de Cambes 2023 (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted in April 2024. It is intense on the nose, with morello cherries and spicy raspberries. Fine acidity, discreet oak, and vibrancy on the palate. Fine mid-palate, powerful structure, and persistent aftertaste. Sublime stuff.
Roc de Cambes 2022 (barrel sample) 94-95p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2024. Fresh, quite intense on the nose with violets and roses, mineral, spicy, discreet oak, vibrant on the palate, Excellent mid-palate, great structure, and long-lasting finish. Sublime stuff. It could be the best vintage ever for the property!
Roc de Cambes 2021 (barrel sample) 92+p
Tasted in April 2022. Fresh, quite intense on the nose with violets and roses, mineral, spicy, discreet oak, vibrant on the palate, splendid structure, and complexity. It's superb winemaking from Francois Mitjaville and a gem to enjoy in 10-15 years.
Roc de Cambes 2020 (barrel sample) 94p
I tasted it in May 2021. It is more elegant than usual, with a velvety texture, vibrant and complex. It has an excellent mid-palate, great structure, and a long-lasting finish. Sublime stuff.
Roc de Cambes 2019 93-94p
Tasted in June 2020. 85% Merlot + 15% Cabernet Franc. 85% Merlot + 15% C. Franc. It tasted identically from the bottle as from the barrel! It had a fully packed nose of black fruit, was very intense, complex with creamy berries on the palate, splendid acidity and length, delicate complexity, velvety texture, and a persistent finish. Tremendous effort!
Roc de Cambes 2018 (barrel sample) 94p
Tasted twice - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. Powerful, packed with large quantities of black cherries and fat tannin, and great complexity and length. It is probably the best Roc de Cambes ever!
Roc de Cambes 2017 92p
Tasted three times - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. Potent, creamy, long, and complex. Entertaining wine of superb quality!
Roc de Cambes 2016 94p
Tasted four times - last time in October 2019. Consistent notes. This wine was imposing on the nose with great aromatic intensity, concentrated on the palate with great complexity and depth, and had a creamy, fruity aftertaste. This is a riveting effort.
Roc de Cambes 2015 93p
Tasted four times - last time in October 2018. Consistent notes. As usual, it was filled with dark fruit on the nose and palate, was potent, had a strong backbone, earthy flavors on the palate, and had a long aftertaste.
Roc de Cambes 2014 (barrel sample) 92p
I tasted this wine in March 2015. It was compelling, strong, and intense on the nose, with blueberries and black cherries. It has superb balance and a firm aftertaste containing ripe flavors. It is a terrific effort and reminds me of the 2008 vintage style.
Roc de Cambes 2013 (barrel sample) 88p
Tasted twice - last time in March 2015. Not consistent notes. It had very ripe fruit, a different style than usual, and a soft and mellow structure. Lighter structure. In March 2015, it displayed a jammy scent and dry tannin.
Roc de Cambes 2012 92p
Tasted five times - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. Black cherries, chocolate, tasty, attractive, sappy and fresh, splendid acidity and velvety finish. Superb for the vintage.
Roc de Cambes 2011 92p
I tasted it seven times, the last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. It was extremely aromatic, with black cherries everywhere, grilled flavors, perfect balance, and a mineral, sappy, persistent, and meaty aftertaste. Impressive effort.
Roc de Cambes 2010 94p
Tasted seven times - last time in October 2017. Consistent notes. It was a potent and strong wine, intense on the nose, with chocolate and black cherries and many big, fat, ripe tannins. Everything was in excellent balance. It is a fantastic wine with a tremendous aromatic touch and complexity. Undoubtedly, it's the best RDC I've ever experienced here.
Roc de Cambes 2009 92p
Tasted five times - last time in October 2012. Consistent notes. This wine was potent, strong, and intense on the nose, with blueberries and black cherries, superb balance, and a firm aftertaste containing ripe flavors. It was a spectacular effort in the same class as 2005.
Roc de Cambes 2008 91p
Tasted three times - last time in October 2010. Consistent notes. This wine was potent, strong, and intense on the nose, with blueberries and black cherries, superb balance, and a firm aftertaste containing ripe flavors. Terrific effort.
Roc des Cambes 2007 88p
I tasted it four times, the last time in October 2010. It has consistent notes. It has a lovely aroma of black cherries and blackcurrants, an excellent structure, and is pretty well-balanced, very seductive, and charming.
Roc des Cambes 2006 90p
We tasted it five times - the last time in November 2013. Consistent notes. Attractive cherry nose with splendid purity, very sappy on the palate, perfectly ripe fruit, superb balance, striking complexity, and persistent finish. Great for the vintage.
Roc des Cambes 2005 93p
Tasted nine times - last time in November 2013. Consistent notes. Thick aroma, thick intensity, hobs of black fruit mixed with chocolate, fat fruit, and tannic with a perfect level of ripeness, velvety texture, excellent balance, incredible sweetness, and long, fruity finish. It's simply stunning wine, my all-time favorite Roc de Cambes, and the 2010 version.
Roc des Cambes 2004 92p
Tasted five times - last time in October 2012. Consistent notes. It was a spicy and robust wine, full-bodied, with black cherries everywhere, fine length, and a delicate aftertaste.
Roc des Cambes 2003 89p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2007. Consistent notes. It is an intense, spicy, aromatic wine with no sign of excessive dryness or overheated fruit. Francois Mitjavile can be proud of this one.
Roc de Cambes 2001 88p
Tasted in April 2009. It is a spicy and robust wine, full-bodied, black cherries everywhere. Fine length and delicate aftertaste.
Roc de Cambes 2000 93p
Tasted twice - last time in March 2014. Consistent notes. It is very potent and intense and looks pretty young, so evolution is slow, mineral, rich, long, and has many good years of further development. Impressive stuff.
Roc de Cambes 1998 89p
Tasted in November 2013. Mineral, sappy, well-defined, delicate balance, and soft fruity finish. On the verge of being fully mature.
Roc de Cambes 1995 90p
Tasted twice - last time in April 2007. Consistent notes. Aromatic berry fruit is well-structured, with plenty of fine ingredients to build on. Long and powerful aftertaste.
Roc de Cambes 1991 87p
Tasted in September 2013. From the year of "gelée noir" (black frost). This wine was still going well on its "legs"; it was well-preserved but slightly jammy, nicely balanced, and charming.
Roc de Cambes 1990 92p
I tasted it twice, last in April 2007. Consistent notes. This was the third vintage from this property under Francois Mitjavile's reign. It was a beautiful, delightful, aromatic, and perfectly balanced wine with truffles and cherry compote. It was utterly seductive and tasty. Fabulous stuff!