2013 Camensac
Estimated value
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Tasting notes
A challening year, and although there is delicacy and finesse, with a focus on floral notes, the fruit is not fully ripe, and here the raspberry and tomato leaf take precedence. Subtle charred notes, with a hint of sweet strawberry, help maintain interest, but things drop pretty quickly. Clare Thomas-Chenard technical director, Harvest October 1 to 11, 50% of normal yield, with Cabernet Sauvignon less impacted by rot than Merlot, so this is a Cabernet dominant year in the blend. 60% new oak, Eric Boissenot consultant.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Camensac appears to have been pole-axed by the challenging vintage more than others. It has a soft, plush nose with blackberry and raspberry coulis, simple but clean. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin and that is the problem. There is negligible backbone to this Haut-Médoc and as a consequence it feels lifeless on the finish. This should be for early-drinking only, but there are much better wines from this estate out there on the market, including much better vintages from Château de Camensac themselves.
Modern, smoky, forthright nose. Some coffee character on the palate, which is led by oak but has black fruit close behind. Lightly chewy and brightly acidic. (RH)
About the producer
A stone’s throw from Saint-Julien, Ch. de Camensac was long underperforming, but – under the ownership of the Merlaut-Villars family – was totally restructured, and quality transformed.