Occasionally Bordeaux

I don't drink a lot of wine from Bordeaux. If you read my blog at all you'll know that over the past couple of years, I've sold my wine-drinking soul to Burgundy. I don't think I'm ever getting it back. However, I do have a variety (dwindling everyday though it is) of wine in my cellar, including a few Bordeaux hanging around.


Chateau Camensac is a fifth growth according to the Bordeaux Wine Classification of 1855. So, it's a fifth growth, what the hell does that mean? Well, when the Bordeaux classification was developed, wines were ranked from first growth to fifth growth based on reputation and current trading price. This was supposed to be a reflection of the overall quality of the chateau/wine. So, in essence, Camensac makes the list, but as a fifth growth it's not really a heady Bordeaux estate. That being said, it has a reputation of being a fine wine that can age a bit and not break the bank. Current releases can be found for less than $25.

I had picked up a few bottles of the 1996 a couple of years back and have enjoyed popping them over the years. The wine has held up well. It was never a rock star, but always a solid drinking experience. I opened my last bottle this weekend to find a similar result. There was mature tobacco and leather on the nose. Dusty red fruit and some wood notes on the palate. Mint, too. A drying finish that doesn't really go anywhere, but that's ok. The wine was good. Almost very good, but quite nice for what it is at 15 yrs of age.