Camensac 2021 (750ML)

90 DE / 89 JA / 89-90 WA / 85-87 VM / 15.5+ JR

Playful and lively on the palate, the tannins are quite pronounced in their robust mouthfilling texture and also the salty, dark chocolate and graphite flavour, so much so that the fruit almost immediately goes behind the more overt savoury elements. Stops a little short in terms of fruit persistence but this has nicely-worked fruit and tannins with the acidity keeping it lifted overall. Slightly more sombre perhaps with that bitter, iodine touch at the end. I like it though, has such charm to it and a lovely no frills attitude. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

Attractive, curling smoked oak aromatics, with waves of clove and quince on the opening beats. This is a little austere through the mid palate, closing in on itself and emphasisng slightly rustic tannins, but there is balance and elegance on display also. The ageing process will help round things out, but the vintage marker is present in the savoury nature of the fruits. Higher Cabernet in the blend than usual, 43hl/h yield. - Jane Anson

A fine effort, the 2021 Camensac offers up aromas of cassis, plums, loamy soil and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium-bodied, velvety palate with lively acids and impressively refined tannins. Between 2007 and 2017, more than a quarter of this 90-hectare estate was replanted, replacing Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon at 10,000 vines per hectare on the best gravel soils, and as those results start to bear fruit, Camensac's upward trajectory trumps vintage variation. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

The 2021 de Camensac is a little distant on the nose and, despite coaxing, doesn't really offer much compared to, say, the Cantemerle. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, fine depth, plenty of licorice-infused black fruit and a slightly high-toned but short finish. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Perfumed, aromatic with blueberry and dark-fruit notes. Lively, fresh and supple on the palate. Acidity sits in a little on the finish and the oak needs to settle so could improve. - Jancis Robinson