One of the oldest estates in the Haut-Médoc, the recent history of Château Cambon La Pelouse begins in 1996 when the property was renovated and updated to modern vineyard and winery standards by its current owners. The estate is situated very close to the prized Margaux sub-region of Bordeaux, and its vineyards share the same deep, gravelly soils of its more distinguished neighbours. The 35 hectares of vineyards are planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 30 years. As with the rest of Bordeaux, 2012 wasn't the best ever vintage in the Haut-Médoc, with a cold spring preceding a hot August and September followed by rain during harvest time. Having sampled numerous 2012s, I confirm that this is not a Claret vintage to lay down for decades to come; yet most of the wines I've tried are charming, medium-bodied and easy to approach in their youth. Therefore, with its provenance and premium price tag, I expected good things from the 2012 Pelouse.
In general, the critics were collectively positive about the Estate's 2012 wine. In his ever-reliable book 'The Best Wines in the Supermarkets', writer Ned Halley was glowing in his praise of the Cambon La Pelouse 2011, scoring it 8/10 and commenting: "[...] this is an aspiring claret. You get deep ruby colour already showing a tinge of browning and a rich, coffee-cedar-leather luxury aroma en route to a silky and well-developed plummy-black fruit. [...] it delivers a lot for the premium price". Of the stronger 2012 vintage, Robert Parker gave the wine a score of 87-89, praising the wine's "excellent texture" and commenting on its notes of "cranberries, red and black cherries, forest floor and hints of white chocolate as well as background earth". Decanter magazine also rated the wine highly, calling it "suave and velvety, a modern-style claret with abundant fruit and spice. Powerful and long (17.5/20)". With glowing comments and high scores from a middling vintage, I was eager to sample the wine for myself.
A medium ruby colour in glass, the wine is initially slightly reticent on the nose, with the plum and strawberry notes which creep from the glass being joined by more typical blackcurrant and pencil lead notes with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and taut, with typical youthful acidity and drying tannins providing a comforting 'Left-Bank' structure. Although the composition of the 2012 Pelouse is slightly Merlot-leaning (52% versus 44% Cabernet Sauvignon), it is the presence of the Cabernet which shouts louder in the wine, with the wine's structure and blackcurrant palate very much following the grape's blueprint. As I drank the wine, the benefits of allowing it time in glass became apparent: the initially linear palate gradually became a medley of black fruit flavours wrapped round a core of graphite, and the finish became longer and more satisfying. As well as enjoying the Pelouse, it was also very pleasing to experience the sensation of drinking a traditional style Claret, where both patience and decanting is richly rewarded.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed drinking the Cambon La Pelouse 2012, which managed to both allay my Brexit worries and reaffirm my faith in good Claret in one fell swoop. In fact, if I had to pick one slight criticism, it would be the slightly optimistic retail price: lots of well-regarded, mid-aged Cru Bourgeois Claret can be found at around the £10-£15 mark, and I think the top end of that category should be where the Pelouse pitches itself. That said, those wine lovers who enjoy the charms and complexities of well-made, youthful Left Bank reds would do a lot worse than to discover the Pelouse, and let its Clarety loveliness wash over you. Life ain't so bad after all.
P.S. We're really sorry Europe, please take us back!
In general, the critics were collectively positive about the Estate's 2012 wine. In his ever-reliable book 'The Best Wines in the Supermarkets', writer Ned Halley was glowing in his praise of the Cambon La Pelouse 2011, scoring it 8/10 and commenting: "[...] this is an aspiring claret. You get deep ruby colour already showing a tinge of browning and a rich, coffee-cedar-leather luxury aroma en route to a silky and well-developed plummy-black fruit. [...] it delivers a lot for the premium price". Of the stronger 2012 vintage, Robert Parker gave the wine a score of 87-89, praising the wine's "excellent texture" and commenting on its notes of "cranberries, red and black cherries, forest floor and hints of white chocolate as well as background earth". Decanter magazine also rated the wine highly, calling it "suave and velvety, a modern-style claret with abundant fruit and spice. Powerful and long (17.5/20)". With glowing comments and high scores from a middling vintage, I was eager to sample the wine for myself.
A medium ruby colour in glass, the wine is initially slightly reticent on the nose, with the plum and strawberry notes which creep from the glass being joined by more typical blackcurrant and pencil lead notes with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied and taut, with typical youthful acidity and drying tannins providing a comforting 'Left-Bank' structure. Although the composition of the 2012 Pelouse is slightly Merlot-leaning (52% versus 44% Cabernet Sauvignon), it is the presence of the Cabernet which shouts louder in the wine, with the wine's structure and blackcurrant palate very much following the grape's blueprint. As I drank the wine, the benefits of allowing it time in glass became apparent: the initially linear palate gradually became a medley of black fruit flavours wrapped round a core of graphite, and the finish became longer and more satisfying. As well as enjoying the Pelouse, it was also very pleasing to experience the sensation of drinking a traditional style Claret, where both patience and decanting is richly rewarded.
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| Is there any other companion for good Bordeaux? |
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed drinking the Cambon La Pelouse 2012, which managed to both allay my Brexit worries and reaffirm my faith in good Claret in one fell swoop. In fact, if I had to pick one slight criticism, it would be the slightly optimistic retail price: lots of well-regarded, mid-aged Cru Bourgeois Claret can be found at around the £10-£15 mark, and I think the top end of that category should be where the Pelouse pitches itself. That said, those wine lovers who enjoy the charms and complexities of well-made, youthful Left Bank reds would do a lot worse than to discover the Pelouse, and let its Clarety loveliness wash over you. Life ain't so bad after all.
P.S. We're really sorry Europe, please take us back!
Interesting read Tom and the Pelouse is one I will add to my 'To try List' when the next 25% offer is on.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of bottles of the TtD Priorat 2013 that I've yet to try, like you looking forward to it.
Dave