Château de Camensac 2006

A classic Bordeaux nose of licorice, cedar wood, black currants, and some tobacco leaf is followed by a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated wine with light tannin and a savory mouthfeel. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

A solid red, with mineral and blueberry character. Medium-bodied, with chewy tannins. A little austere, but attractive. Best from 2011 through 2016.

This classed growth is taking on a new life after years of not achieving its potential. With this vintage, the team from Château Chasse-Spleen has taken charge, and it shows in the structured density of the tannins, maybe edged with austerity, but also based upon rich, black fruits and a mouthful of vivid acidity.

Some very odd oak on the nose. Very unintegrated. Chewy and greenish finish. Really rather unpleasant. Does this evince 2006's shortcomings? (JR)

Medium bodied, austere, firm, old school styled wine with a crisp, stern, cranberry and cassis finish.

Deep, dark ruby color. Floral, very spicy bouquet with nice density. Fine, full-bodied, well-structured palate with blueberry fruit and balanced astringency. A new momentum for the Cinquième Cru thanks to the new owners.

Deep, dark ruby. Floral, very spicy bouquet with lovely density. Fine, textured, well-structured palate, blueberry fruit, balanced astringency. You can tell the new owners want to restore this no-longer-particularly-attractive Cinquième Cru to its former standing.

A cooler year than 2005, with more angular tannins. Has the undergrowth and smoked earth that you find in the 2005, but the shape of the tannins are quite different, the fruit darker even a little younger right now, Cabernet dominant with emphasis on fennel, blueberry and cassis, and a juicy saline finish. Eric Boissenot consultant winemaker as of this year, plus improvements in the winery put in by new owners Céilne Villars-Foubet and her uncle Jean Merlaut. This was their first full vintage, and introduced things such as smaller concrete vats for fermentation, splitting them into smaller units of 120/180hl. Replanting programme also began in this year that would see 30% of the vineyard renewed by 2017. Harvest September 20 to October 9. Gerard Bouquinet technical director. 60% new oak.

The colour is dark, intense and vivid. Fruity nose, moderately aromatic. The palate is nicely fleshy and pleasant, with body, flavour and fairly fine tannins. Good length. A revival, perhaps?