2018 Roc de Cambes, Cotes de Bourg

The 2018 Roc de Cambes has a generous bouquet of black cherries, warm embers, roasted chestnuts and light truffle scents that emerge with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine bead of acidity and gentle grip. I appreciate the harmony of this Roc de Cambes, though it needs some bottle age to rein the oak on the finish. Very fine.

The 2018 Roc de Cambes is a potent, tannic wine that is going to need time to come together. Backward and brooding, the 2018 packs a serious punch. Grilled herbs, smoke, leather, tobacco and graphite all run through this virile Côtes De Bourg from François Mitjavile. The 2018 finished its sugars late, so its current state is not all that surprising. Even so, the 2018 appears to have quite a bit of potential. The blend is 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec.