We are delighted to offer the wines of François Mitjavile: Tertre Rôteboeuf, Roc De Cambes, and Domaine De Cambes 2015. These magical wines and their charismatic maker captivated us during the en primeur tastings. They feel a world away from the mainstream, and have received outstanding reviews from the critics:
“Beguiling in purity and beautifully defined … Yes – it’s just a little bit magical” Neal Martin
“Such sensuality and poise is completely beyond me” Matthew Jukes
“Totally unlike anything else. Perfumed but with such gorgeous mastery of tannins.” Jancis Robinson MW
2015 Ch Tertre Rôteboeuf Grand Cru St Emilion £650 per 6 bottles IB
2015 Ch Roc de Cambes Côtes de Bourg £230 per 6 bottles IB
2015 Domaine de Cambes Bordeaux £305 per 12 bottles IB
Quantities are extremely limited and 6 bottles Ch Tertre Rôteboeuf are tied to 12 bottles Ch Roc de Cambes.
2015 Ch Tertre Rôteboeuf Grand Cru St Emilion
£650 per 6 bottles IB
This wine is as unique and charismatic as its proprietor, François Mitjavile – a true vigneron of the right bank. The nose is intensely scented with pomegranates, sweet cranberries, and cinnamon spice. It evokes a grand cru red Burgundy rather than traditional claret. The palate is arresting in its sinuous, graceful flow. The tannins are so finely knit, like the softest cashmere, melting into a sweetly fruited core that lingers for minutes after the tasting. Quite astonishing. Drink 2021-2042, Goedhuis Score: 97-99
The 2015 Le Tertre Roteboeuf was picked between 8 and 12 October, François Mitjavile alternating his pickers between here and Roc de Cambes. Like his other 2015s, there is a nascent Burgundy-like allure on the nose that is beguiling in purity and beautifully defined, with scents of small dark cherries, Indian ink and a touch of cassis, an undertow of minerals that will surely become more perceptible as the wine ages in bottle. The palate is harmonious and animated. You are immediately taken by the fineness of the tannin and its velvety smooth texture. It just glides effortlessly along, extremely persistent and tensile on the finish. This will be irresistible once in bottle, and yet there is the substance to see it age for many years. Yes – it’s just a little bit magical. Neal Martin Scare: 97-99
This is the fourth wine from the estate which I tasted (see L’Aurage, Domaine de Cambes and Roc de Cambes q.v.) and they all share fruit density and glossiness which must be the envy of the entire region’s wine wizards. That this is achieved with such sensuality and poise is completely beyond me. This wine is divisible into a million different elements and a large quantity of these err on the dark fruit side of the kaleidoscope (like many Saint-Emilions in 2015). But the range and incidence of other elements in this wine is what makes it such a compelling proposition. To name but a fraction of these sensations is foolish, but I am up for it, so here we go. Each of these is starkly obvious for a moment and then it’s gone into the swirling vortex and every time I go back to the glass I find more. Soft liquorice, hoisin, black Kiwi parade boot polish, homemade cranberry sauce, cinnamon sticks, freshly-sawn wood, barely ripe tiny red plums, William Curley’s raspberry & toscano chocolates and on and on. The vast majority of these flavours come and go so quickly I cannot stand a chance of pinning them down. Many other great wines from this part of the world have three or four standout flavours – this wine has thousands. With stupendously fit tannins and racy acidity allowing this wine to stand proud it is one of the most memorable wines of the vintage. Matthew Jukes Score: 19+
2015 Ch Roc de Cambes Côtes de Bourg
£230 per 6 bottles IB
Another astonishing wine from François Mitjavile’s stable. There is a sweet lusciousness to the refined nose. 50-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon vines combined with the long growing season of 2015 have produces a melodic flow of satin-like tannins and crunchy line of acidity, much like the finest red Burgundies. Drink 2019-2030, Goedhuis Score: 95-97
Very intense and rich. Great spice and softness. Totally unlike anything else. Perfumed but with such gorgeous mastery of tannins. What a contrast to the tenseness of the Pavie stable. Already gorgeous! Jancis Robinson MW Score: 17.5
Two shades darker than Domaine de Cambes, and with few of the wilder notes from l’Aurage, this is a honed and distinguished wine with tempered energy and tremendous concentration. The density of fruit and power is sensational and it is already, seemingly, sexy, bright and pure. This is a stunning Roc de Cambes and it is perfectly balanced with juicy raspberry, damson and blueberry notes appearing among the darker tones. Relatively forward and already flattering to deceive I expect it will live for an age but it is very attractive already! There is a lovely, bright pinch of mint on the finish, too which distracts the palate from the fit tannins. Matthew Jukes Score: 18+
2015 Domaine de Cambes Bordeaux
£305 per 12 bottles IB
This fruit comes from a separate sister estate to Roc des Cambes, located within St Emilion but eschewing any formal classification. Much like its sibling there is again the haunting echo of Pinot Noir-like elegance and aromatic grace. All the elements are tenderly knit together. Drink 2019-2028, Goedhuis Score: 93-95
From the stony stretch next to the Gironde below Roc de Cambes vineyard. Rich and round. Quite unlike any other AOC Bordeaux. Very fine tannins. Hint of game. Black fruits too. Good Value. Jancis Robinson MW Score 16.5+
Smoother, lighter and fresher than l’Aurage, this is a fresh red fruit cocktail with delicious tenderness and a soothing, calming, cooling palate. Lovely and balanced this is a charming wine and it is already into its stride with completely assimilated tannins. Matthew Jukes Score: 17+