Roc de Cambes Cotes de Bourg Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Tertre Roteboeuf Francois

Learn everything about Roc de Cambes Cotes de Bourg with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Roc de Cambes History, Overview

Roc de Cambes is located in the Cotes de Bourg appellation. This is not that far from St. Emilion. In fact, the estate’s geographical location provided the inspiration for the name of the domaine, as it is located in the commune of St. Laurent des Combes.

Soon after Francois Mitjavile purchased the vineyard in late 1987, he named his new winery, Chateau Roc de Cambes. When the owner, Francois Mitjavile purchased the estate in 1988.

At the time, Roc de Cambes required extensive replanting work in the vineyards and modernizations in the cellars. The chateau that was constructed in the mid to late 1700s also needed renovations.

1998 marked the debut vintage for Domaine Roc de Cambes. That name was shortened to Roc de Cambes in 1994. The vineyard is situated not far from the Bordeaux city center and it is also less than 30 kilometers due south of St. Emilion.

Interestingly, Roc de Cambes has a terroir that is not much different from Tertre Roteboeuf, their legendary, St. Emilion estate, which is also owned by the Mitjavile family. That explains in part, why Roc de Cambes was purchased by the Mitjavile family.

Roc de Cambes Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 12.5-hectare vineyard of Roc de Cambes is planted to 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Malbec and Cabernet Franc vines have been removed from the vineyard. The terroir is mostly limestone and clay soils, similar to what you find in the Right Bank of Bordeaux, especially in Saint Emilion.

The vineyard has south by southwest exposure on the peak of a plateau, with a view of the river. The vines are old. In fact, many of their vines used for Roc de Cambes are close to an impressive 50 years of age. They have vines that are more than 50 years old, which adds to the concentration, character and complexity of the wines.

Roc de Cambes is vinified in traditional concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels. The wine is then aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for between 18 to 24 months before bottling.

They also produce Domaine de Cambes, which is not considered a second wine, as it comes from a different terroir and grape source. Domaine de Cambes is not in the boundaries of the Cotes de Bourg appellation.

The vines are much further down the slopes and they are closer to the Gironde, creating a cooler terroir with more clay in the soils as well.

However, the Merlot-dominated blend used for Domaine de Cambes can be quite similar to Roc de Cambes. Domaine de Cambes, unlike Roc de Cambes is labeled and sold as a Bordeaux AOC wine.

The best vintages of Roc de Cambes are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

When to Drink Roc de Cambes, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Roc de Cambes is much better with at least 4-6 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for 1 hour to 90 minutes. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Roc de Cambes offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 5-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Roc de Cambes with Wine and Food Pairings

Roc de Cambes is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Roc de Cambes is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Roc de Cambes is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Today, Roc de Cambes is clearly an easy contender for the top Bordeaux from the Cotes de Bourg appellation. The Mitjavile family recently added Domaine lAurage to their holdings.

Located in the Cotes de Castillon appellation, the debut vintage for Domaine l’Aurage was 2007. It’s definitely an estate to watch in the Cotes de Bordeaux appellation as it combines quality, character, and price.

www.roc-de-cambes.com

Domaine de Cambes Wine Tasting Notes

38 Vintages 159,957 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2023
93
Concentrated, round, and juicy, with depth, lift, energy, and vibrance which allows the layers of dark, red berries, spice, and herbs to shine. The finish displays the sweetness, as well as the brightness in the fruit in the mid-palate, which carries all the way though to the chewy, red berry finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040. 92-94 Pts.

Concentrated, round, and juicy, with depth, lift, energy, and vibrance which allows the layers of dark, red berries, spice, and herbs to shine. The finish displays the sweetness, as well as the brightness in the fruit in the mid-palate, which carries all the way though to the chewy, red berry finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. 14.5% ABV. Drink from 2027-2040. 92-94 Pts.

1,816 Views   Tasted
2023
91
Herbs, spearmint, tobacco, licorice, and red berries are on display in the nose, and on the palate. The fruits are vibrant, sweet, chewy, and fresh with a savory, salty accent in the finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2037. 90-92 Pts.

Herbs, spearmint, tobacco, licorice, and red berries are on display in the nose, and on the palate. The fruits are vibrant, sweet, chewy, and fresh with a savory, salty accent in the finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2037. 90-92 Pts.

983 Views   Tasted
2022
94
Deeply colored, the nose is packed with blackberries, plums, flowers, savory herbs, cigar box and espresso. Earthy, meaty, chewy, sweet, red it fruits, savory herbs and spice fill the medium-bodied mid-palate and vibrant finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. ABV 15% 3.8 pH. Drink from 2026-2040. 93-95 Pts.

Deeply colored, the nose is packed with blackberries, plums, flowers, savory herbs, cigar box and espresso. Earthy, meaty, chewy, sweet, red it fruits, savory herbs and spice fill the medium-bodied mid-palate and vibrant finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. ABV 15% 3.8 pH. Drink from 2026-2040. 93-95 Pts.

4,522 Views   Tasted
2022
91
Tobacco leaf, cocoa, red berries and oceanic influences show through on the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, earthy, chewy, and leafy, leaving you with savory, red berries and salty tannins in the finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025-2035. 90-92 Pts.

Tobacco leaf, cocoa, red berries and oceanic influences show through on the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, earthy, chewy, and leafy, leaving you with savory, red berries and salty tannins in the finish. The wine blends 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2025-2035. 90-92 Pts.

2,642 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Cigar wrapper, forest floor, spicy, leafy, savory red berries, and a strong dose of crushed stone in the nose and on the palate sets you up for the endnote which finishes with salty tannins and earthy, leafy, fresh, vibrant red fruits. Drink from 2023-2037. 91-93

Cigar wrapper, forest floor, spicy, leafy, savory red berries, and a strong dose of crushed stone in the nose and on the palate sets you up for the endnote which finishes with salty tannins and earthy, leafy, fresh, vibrant red fruits. Drink from 2023-2037. 91-93

2,711 Views   Tasted
2021
89
Earthy, savory, leafy, fresh, bright, chewy, crisp, peppery red fruits and strong floral nuances. Medium-bodied with a core of earthy, sweet, fruits in the mid-palate and in the finish that should be a treat to enjoy on release. Drink from 2023-2031. 91-90

Earthy, savory, leafy, fresh, bright, chewy, crisp, peppery red fruits and strong floral nuances. Medium-bodied with a core of earthy, sweet, fruits in the mid-palate and in the finish that should be a treat to enjoy on release. Drink from 2023-2031. 91-90

2,179 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Dark garnet in color, the wine sports a complex nose of espresso, spice box, forest leaf, tobacco leaf and dark red pit fruits. Sweet and savory, spicy and fresh, with dusty tannins and plenty of ripe, earthy, salty fruits on the palate and in the finish, this character filled wine has length and complexity. 91-93 Pts

Dark garnet in color, the wine sports a complex nose of espresso, spice box, forest leaf, tobacco leaf and dark red pit fruits. Sweet and savory, spicy and fresh, with dusty tannins and plenty of ripe, earthy, salty fruits on the palate and in the finish, this character filled wine has length and complexity. 91-93 Pts

3,955 Views   Tasted
2020
88
A light touch of creamy espresso, cedar, tobacco leaf, spice and earthy red fruits start off the wine. On the medium-bodied palate the wine is soft, open and fresh with spicy, earthen red fruits and herbs that continue through to the finish. 87-90 Pts

A light touch of creamy espresso, cedar, tobacco leaf, spice and earthy red fruits start off the wine. On the medium-bodied palate the wine is soft, open and fresh with spicy, earthen red fruits and herbs that continue through to the finish. 87-90 Pts

2,567 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Full-bodied, concentrated, earthy and cherry-filled with an herbal nuance and complexity, the wine is lively, wild and fruity with forest floor and fresh red fruits in the finish. 90-92 Pts

Full-bodied, concentrated, earthy and cherry-filled with an herbal nuance and complexity, the wine is lively, wild and fruity with forest floor and fresh red fruits in the finish. 90-92 Pts

6,219 Views   Tasted
2019
89
Garnet with a touch of brick in the color, mint with a shot of smoked cherries, the wine is quite earthy in nature, in its fruit and nose and on the palate. Concentrated, round and fruity, you can drink this young or age it for more complexity. 88-90 Pts

Garnet with a touch of brick in the color, mint with a shot of smoked cherries, the wine is quite earthy in nature, in its fruit and nose and on the palate. Concentrated, round and fruity, you can drink this young or age it for more complexity. 88-90 Pts

3,275 Views   Tasted
2018
93
The hint of chocolate, smoke, licorice, old wood, and black cherry come alive this year. The fruit has a wildness to it along with sweetness, freshness and purity. The energetic, lusty finish wraps everything nicely.

The hint of chocolate, smoke, licorice, old wood, and black cherry come alive this year. The fruit has a wildness to it along with sweetness, freshness and purity. The energetic, lusty finish wraps everything nicely.

4,357 Views   Tasted
Wild black cherries, truffle, tobacco, smoke and licorice on the nose gets your focus. Full-bodied, lusty, round and juicy, with an earthy accent to the fruits, this will be best with at least 7-9 years of age. 92-94 Pts

Wild black cherries, truffle, tobacco, smoke and licorice on the nose gets your focus. Full-bodied, lusty, round and juicy, with an earthy accent to the fruits, this will be best with at least 7-9 years of age. 92-94 Pts

5,887 Views   Tasted
2018
90
Pepper, truffle, black pepper, mint and earthy, red fruits create the core of this wine, Medium-bodied, with a spicy presence on the fruit, you can enjoy this in its youth.

Pepper, truffle, black pepper, mint and earthy, red fruits create the core of this wine, Medium-bodied, with a spicy presence on the fruit, you can enjoy this in its youth.

1,745 Views   Tasted
Truffle, tree moss, wet earth, tobacco and dark red fruits are served up with a juicy, mouthful of earthy, fresh, dark red fruits and tobacco leaf. 88-90 Pts

Truffle, tree moss, wet earth, tobacco and dark red fruits are served up with a juicy, mouthful of earthy, fresh, dark red fruits and tobacco leaf. 88-90 Pts

2,461 Views   Tasted
2017
90
Wet soil, tobacco, truffle and black raspberries are found on the nose and on the palate. The wine is juicy, bright and fruity with herbal complexities in an earthy finish.

Wet soil, tobacco, truffle and black raspberries are found on the nose and on the palate. The wine is juicy, bright and fruity with herbal complexities in an earthy finish.

3,967 Views   Tasted
2017
87
Wet earth, forest floor, truffle, tobacco and dark red fruits are served up in a ripe, juicy, fresh, medium/full bodied, rustic style.

Wet earth, forest floor, truffle, tobacco and dark red fruits are served up in a ripe, juicy, fresh, medium/full bodied, rustic style.

2,669 Views   Tasted
2016
92
Earthy, truffle, licorice, salt, brioche and black cherries open the nose. Full bodied, with fresh, cherries, the wine is concentrated, full bodied, and offers something wild and refined at the same moment. The finish is fruity, earthy and juicy.

Earthy, truffle, licorice, salt, brioche and black cherries open the nose. Full bodied, with fresh, cherries, the wine is concentrated, full bodied, and offers something wild and refined at the same moment. The finish is fruity, earthy and juicy.

5,528 Views   Tasted
2016
88
Olive tapenade, thyme and red fruit aromas emerge easily. Medium/full bodied, with spicy, sweet cherries and herbs with a fresh, earthy, finish are found here.

Olive tapenade, thyme and red fruit aromas emerge easily. Medium/full bodied, with spicy, sweet cherries and herbs with a fresh, earthy, finish are found here.

3,946 Views   Tasted
2015
92
Wet earth, spearmint, licorice, cocoa and plums smell and taste great. The wine is silky, polished and rich, there is volume and freshness that drives home the fruity qualities in the finish. This is the best Roc de Cambes ever produced.

Wet earth, spearmint, licorice, cocoa and plums smell and taste great. The wine is silky, polished and rich, there is volume and freshness that drives home the fruity qualities in the finish. This is the best Roc de Cambes ever produced.

5,699 Views   Tasted
Spicy, mineral driven, earthy, dark berry focused nose with a structured, full bodied, powerful, concentrated, fresh, tannic wine. This definitely needs time in the cellar to be fun to drink.

Spicy, mineral driven, earthy, dark berry focused nose with a structured, full bodied, powerful, concentrated, fresh, tannic wine. This definitely needs time in the cellar to be fun to drink.

5,082 Views   Tasted
2015
89
Vanilla, smoke, wet earth and dark fruits with a touch of herbs create the complex nose. The wine is medium bodied, with a gently rustic, dark cherry and tapenade filled finish. You can drink this young, or age it for a few years.

Vanilla, smoke, wet earth and dark fruits with a touch of herbs create the complex nose. The wine is medium bodied, with a gently rustic, dark cherry and tapenade filled finish. You can drink this young, or age it for a few years.

3,418 Views   Tasted
Dominated by Merlot the wine shows vanilla, smoke, dark red fruits, herbs, spice and earth in character, the wine an olive tapenade and herb infused, dark red fruit experience.

Dominated by Merlot the wine shows vanilla, smoke, dark red fruits, herbs, spice and earth in character, the wine an olive tapenade and herb infused, dark red fruit experience.

2,653 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Picked between October 20 and October 26, the wine delivers an earthy, black cherry, round experience that ends with a spicy, blackberry finish. 89-91 Pts

Picked between October 20 and October 26, the wine delivers an earthy, black cherry, round experience that ends with a spicy, blackberry finish. 89-91 Pts

4,176 Views   Tasted
2014
87
Ripe dark red fruits, olive tapenade, spice and earth in character, the wine delivers from start to finish. 87-89 Pts

Ripe dark red fruits, olive tapenade, spice and earth in character, the wine delivers from start to finish. 87-89 Pts

2,183 Views   Tasted
2013
88
Wild, candied red berries served in an open style, with a blast of cherry in the finish. This will drink well and offer pleasure early. 87-89 Pts

Wild, candied red berries served in an open style, with a blast of cherry in the finish. This will drink well and offer pleasure early. 87-89 Pts

4,253 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Spicy red cherries, hints of fennel and plum in the forward finish. 86-88 Pts

Spicy red cherries, hints of fennel and plum in the forward finish. 86-88 Pts

2,736 Views   Tasted
2012
88
Not to be confused with Roc de Cambes, as this is parcel selection and not a second wine. This medium-bodied wine offers fresh herbs, spice and red berries in an open style. 87-89 Pts

Not to be confused with Roc de Cambes, as this is parcel selection and not a second wine. This medium-bodied wine offers fresh herbs, spice and red berries in an open style. 87-89 Pts

2,388 Views   Tasted
2012
88
80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon produced a wine with earthy plums, spice and sweet, tart cherries in the finish. 87-89 Pts

80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon produced a wine with earthy plums, spice and sweet, tart cherries in the finish. 87-89 Pts

4,398 Views   Tasted
2011
88
Distinct aromas of truffle adds to the plum and stone personality in this open, medium bodied, ready to drink wine.

Distinct aromas of truffle adds to the plum and stone personality in this open, medium bodied, ready to drink wine.

2,231 Views   Tasted
70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc open to leafy, blackberry, coffee and earth aromas. This interesting wine ends with an earthy, herbal, black cherry finish. 88-89 Pts

70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc open to leafy, blackberry, coffee and earth aromas. This interesting wine ends with an earthy, herbal, black cherry finish. 88-89 Pts

2,535 Views   Tasted
2011
85
Easy drinking, plummy, black cherry, round wine in a crowd pleasing style.

Easy drinking, plummy, black cherry, round wine in a crowd pleasing style.

2,303 Views   Tasted
From 65% Merlot with 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.5% Cabernet Franc, the wine opens with forest, earth and plum, medium body and a short black cherry finish. This is a wine to enjoy young. 85-86 Pts

From 65% Merlot with 17.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17.5% Cabernet Franc, the wine opens with forest, earth and plum, medium body and a short black cherry finish. This is a wine to enjoy young. 85-86 Pts

1,818 Views   Tasted
2010
90
The wine offers minerality, truffle, blackberries and wet earth scents, with good density and a spicy, fennel, black raspberry filled finish.

The wine offers minerality, truffle, blackberries and wet earth scents, with good density and a spicy, fennel, black raspberry filled finish.

4,346 Views   Tasted
Roc des Cambes 75% Merlot 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot produced a medium bodied, soft textured wine filled earth, anise, black cherry and smoke. The vineyards are slowly being replanted as the Cabernet Sauvignon is being replaced by Merlot. 88-90 Pts

Roc des Cambes 75% Merlot 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot produced a medium bodied, soft textured wine filled earth, anise, black cherry and smoke. The vineyards are slowly being replanted as the Cabernet Sauvignon is being replaced by Merlot. 88-90 Pts

5,074 Views   Tasted
2010
88
Truffle, earth, red plums, juicy berries and a fresh, ripe, spice filled finish.

Truffle, earth, red plums, juicy berries and a fresh, ripe, spice filled finish.

3,444 Views   Tasted
2009
89
Coffee, cocoa, truffle, black cherry and stone, medium body and a soft, forward, sweet, red cherry finish.

Coffee, cocoa, truffle, black cherry and stone, medium body and a soft, forward, sweet, red cherry finish.

3,940 Views   Tasted
2009
85
Earth, smoke, mineral, black plum and coffee scents open to a mineral driven, red berry finish.

Earth, smoke, mineral, black plum and coffee scents open to a mineral driven, red berry finish.

2,996 Views   Tasted
2008
88
08 Roc des Cambes (Cotes de Bourg) is medium bodied, made from 65% merlot, 17.5% cabernet franc, and the remainder cabernet sauvignon. It has ample dried cherry and cassis flavors in the mouth, with some dryness in the finish. 87-90 Pts

08 Roc des Cambes (Cotes de Bourg) is medium bodied, made from 65% merlot, 17.5% cabernet franc, and the remainder cabernet sauvignon. It has ample dried cherry and cassis flavors in the mouth, with some dryness in the finish. 87-90 Pts

4,360 Views   Tasted
2006
90
Full bodied, earthy, still on the young side, with ripe, juicy, fresh, crisp, dark plums, black cherry, forest floor and truffle notes. Just starting to open, an hour or so in the decanter should add a lot to the wine.

Full bodied, earthy, still on the young side, with ripe, juicy, fresh, crisp, dark plums, black cherry, forest floor and truffle notes. Just starting to open, an hour or so in the decanter should add a lot to the wine.

4,168 Views   Tasted
2005
91
Peppery, earthy, truffle and tobacco scents in the nose with a stony, earthy, cherry driven character, this is ready to drink. 90 Pts

Peppery, earthy, truffle and tobacco scents in the nose with a stony, earthy, cherry driven character, this is ready to drink. 90 Pts

4,604 Views   Tasted
Nice wine, a little rustic in its tannins, but offering a lot of vanilla, blackberry, black raspberry, earth and spicy charm that softens with air. Drinking well today, it might gain a bit more complexity with age, but there is no reason not to pop a cork today.

Nice wine, a little rustic in its tannins, but offering a lot of vanilla, blackberry, black raspberry, earth and spicy charm that softens with air. Drinking well today, it might gain a bit more complexity with age, but there is no reason not to pop a cork today.

3,548 Views   Tasted
2003
89
Like opening a jar of truffles and tasting ripe cherries, this was quite a nice surprise.

Like opening a jar of truffles and tasting ripe cherries, this was quite a nice surprise.

4,535 Views   Tasted
2003
87
Truffle and cigar box notes dominate the nose. On the palate, the wine is all about the cherries. The fruit is not overripe, but it is fading.

Truffle and cigar box notes dominate the nose. On the palate, the wine is all about the cherries. The fruit is not overripe, but it is fading.

1,521 Views   Tasted
2000
88
Fully mature and on the downhill slide, there is still complexity in the earthy, tobacco, oceanic nuances that blend perfectly with the ripe cherries. A little bit rustic, but still charming, the wine needs consumption.

Fully mature and on the downhill slide, there is still complexity in the earthy, tobacco, oceanic nuances that blend perfectly with the ripe cherries. A little bit rustic, but still charming, the wine needs consumption.

3,838 Views   Tasted
1994
87
Earthy, with a distinctive truffle, tobacco and olive drenched nose, the rustically styled wine showed much younger than its true age. Still, this is a not a wine I'd hold for further development.

Earthy, with a distinctive truffle, tobacco and olive drenched nose, the rustically styled wine showed much younger than its true age. Still, this is a not a wine I'd hold for further development.

2,750 Views   Tasted
1990
89
Fully mature, the wine is more interesting with its earthy, tobacco, leaf, cherry, forest and cigar aromas than on the medium bodied, earthy spicy, red plum palate. If you are holding a bottle for further evolution, you are better off popping a cork, that waiting any longer.

Fully mature, the wine is more interesting with its earthy, tobacco, leaf, cherry, forest and cigar aromas than on the medium bodied, earthy spicy, red plum palate. If you are holding a bottle for further evolution, you are better off popping a cork, that waiting any longer.

3,531 Views   Tasted