Château Roc des Cambes

Sitting in the lesser-known Côtes de Bourg, across the water from the more prestigious First Growth châteaux, Roc de Cambes is one of Bordeaux’s hidden stars. Grapes have been grown here, where the Dordogne hits the Gironde, since Roman times and were once highly prized before the marshlands of the Médoc were drained. Roc de Cambes can be dated back to the 14th century, but remained more or less obscured until it was purchased in 1988 by François Mitjavile, renowned for his Tertre Roteboeuf Grand Cru in St-Emilion. It is now one of the top estates in the appellation and easily commands the highest prices. François recognised the fine soils and terroir of Roc de Cambes and planted the 12 hectare estate with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon plus a little Malbec. His winemaking style is akin to that at Tertre Roteboeuf; vigour is tightly controlled and grapes are handpicked only when they are very, or even over, ripe to impart the wine’s signature charm and finesse.