2005 Château Cambon la Pelouse

This reliable property in the southern Médoc has produced a 2005 with loads of sweet black cherry and mocha, some spice and earth as well as a floral note. It is medium to full-bodied, surprisingly concentrated and very well-made. The final blend was 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink it over the next 2-4 years. A sleeper of the vintage.

50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Between Châteaux Giscours and Cantemerle on the highest plots of land in Macau. Quaternary gravel with large pebbles. Vines aged 25 years. Total destemming then fermented in stainless-steel temperature-controlled vats, with six days pre-fermentation maceration. Three weeks vatting. Malolactic fermentation in new oak barrels for 20% of the wine. 12-15 months in oak, 50% new. Maturation on fine lees. Fining with egg whites. Light filtration. Very deep colour. Good for Waitrose for securing these 2005s and making them so widely available… Scented and complex on the nose with some pretty sophisticated oaking. Polished and satisfying. Tannins slightly insistent on the finish but a very good drink. Ideally wait a little. Though it is already quite beguiling. (JR)