2016 Château Camensac

The 2016 Château Camensac is a confident, traditionally built Haut‑Médoc that delivers both structure and refinement — a vintage that underscores the potential of this Fifth Growth estate. On the nose, it offers dark fruit aromas of blackberry and black cherry, complemented by violet florals, rose petals, and a subtle undercurrent of cocoa and pencil lead. 

On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full bodied, framed by firm but polished tannins.  The fruit core—dark berry and plum—is backed by savory notes of tobacco, earth, and cedar, along with a distinct mineral streak that brings freshness and definition.  There’s a clean attack, and the finish is persistent, layered, and elegant, closing with a touch of grip but plenty of finesse. 

Critical reception:

• Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux) gave it 95 points, praising its sculpted, savoury personality, energy, and confident tannic hold.  
• La Revue du Vin de France rated it 94, highlighting its refined palate and silky tannins.  
• James Suckling awarded 93, calling it “a prototypical Médoc wine … long, moderately dry, savory finish.”  
• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it 91+, noting aromas of dark berries, violets, rose, pastry chocolate, and cherry, as well as lively acidity and concentrated layers.  
• Neal Martin (Vinous) scored it 91, describing a medium-bodied palate with well-defined, somewhat strict tannins, and a persistent finish.  
• Jancis Robinson rated it 16/20, noting a hint of pencil shavings on the nose and some phenolic austerity on the palate.  

Overall, the 2016 Château Camensac is a serious, polished Haut‑Médoc that marries dark fruit richness with classic Médoc structure. It’s drinkable now (especially with some decanting), but will likely develop further with 5–15 years of age, rewarding patience with deeper nuance and greater harmony.

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