Château de Camensac 2010

A strong effort from this large estate, Camensac’s 2010 offers up classic Bordeaux notes of tobacco leaf, licorice, red and black currants, and some spicy oak. It has light to medium tannin, medium body, and good purity and cleanliness. Anticipated maturity: now-2025.

This has a brambly, chewy feel, with dark currant and steeped fig notes allied to a smoldering tobacco edge on the finish. Pleasantly rustic, boosted by the oomph of the vintage. Best from 2014 through 2020. 20,833 cases made.

Toasted notes on the nose, remnants of oak and blackcurrant. Full and round. Plush, gently chewy fruit and powdery tannins give this a wider mouthfeel than some. Plenty of flavour and classic claret character, freshness and mint on the finish – a little short and dry, but will be fine with food.

Medium bodied with blackberry, cassis, leaf and earthy notes, the wine is bright, fresh and spicy.

Deep purple, dense at the core, garnet shimmer at the rim. Cool bouquet, barely ripe fruit and leafy notes, red cherry skin. On the palate, red-berried, medium extract, everything feels rather average and the wine seems not to have fully seized the vintage’s potential. (16/20). 12: Medium-dark wine-red, ruby rim. Earthy bouquet, cellar-like notes, the dull side outweighs the possible fruit. On the palate, brittle tannins, mealy texture, an artisanal glint through to the medium-long finish. Here, an estate is performing far below its worth!

Red-berry, hollow, sweet bouquet, red cherries, raspberry canes, old wood, white pepper. Slim, firm palate with light fruit, sandy tannins, medium aromatics, light finish. 16/20 2018 - 2028

The most structured in a vertical to date, not as luscious and welcoming as the 2009, but this is overflowing with Cabernet Sauvignon and Left Bank character – think crayon, slate, mint leaf, cassis, dark chocolate. The tannins carry a slate-like minerality, with grip and a slowing through the palate. Harvest from September 29 to October 21, one of the longest on record. A little slim and austere right now, though there’s plenty of life ahead, and you can see the potential of the estate beginning to take shape. Eric Boissenot consultant. 60% new oak.

Supple attack, a fairly fresh mid-palate, good length, and density.

This cru is slowly moving toward more precise, better‑structured and less austere wines. A 2010 that is fleshy, juicy and aromatic. Good length.

89-91 This has weight, dark tannins, very taut and mineral. Spice comes from the wood.