François Mitjavile, Roc De Cambes, 2020 - Magnum
François Mitjavile, Roc De Cambes, 2020 - Magnum
- 150cl
- 14%
- Red Still
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2042
François Mitjavile makes wines that polarise Bordeaux purists and enchant everyone else. His Roc de Cambes sits on the right bank of the Dordogne, where limestone and clay meet his unconventional winemaking to create something uniquely expressive. This is Merlot-based Bordeaux that prioritises texture and pleasure over classical structure.
The 2020 shows Mitjavile's signature style: rich without being heavy, modern without losing soul. For those who prefer their Bordeaux with personality over pedigree, this is essential drinking.
The 2020 is drinking beautifully now, with primary fruit still dominant but beginning to integrate with oak and mineral elements. Over the next 3-5 years, we expect more tertiary complexity to emerge as the limestone minerality becomes more prominent. The wine should plateau around 2030-2035, maintaining its essential character while gaining nuance, before beginning a gentle decline after 2040.
What the critics say:
"The 2020 Roc de Cambes is a potent, reticent wine that is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Bright red-toned fruit, crushed flowers, blood orange, mint and dried herbs open first. Vibrant acids and open-knit aromatics lend energy as the 2020 gradually unfurls in the glass, with the Cabernet very much driving the flavor profile and overall feel. This exotic beauty is a total stunner. Give it time, though."
"Broad and concentrated, the 2020 Roc de Cambes unwinds in the glass with aromas of cassis, plums, wood smoke, violets and espresso roast. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a fleshy core of fruit and powdery structuring tannins, this is the most muscular wine in Mitjaville's cellar."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep garnet with a bright, youthful rim that catches the light.
NoseDark chocolate and blackberry liqueur rise first, followed by cedar and graphite. There's a floral lift that speaks to the limestone beneath, plus a hint of exotic spice that's pure Mitjavile.
PalateThe attack is rich but not heavy, with silky tannins that coat rather than grip. Dark fruit mingles with mineral precision, while the texture remains fluid and inviting. The limestone backbone keeps everything fresh despite the wine's natural generosity.
FinishLong and mineral-driven, with dark chocolate and graphite lingering alongside persistent berry fruit.
Overall impressionThis is Bordeaux for hedonists rather than historians.
Food Pairings
In the Côtes de Bourg, this would traditionally accompany slow-braised beef with shallots and regional mushrooms, or duck confit with garlic and thyme. The local preference for rich, rustic cooking matches the wine's generous character perfectly. Aged hard cheeses from the region, particularly those with natural rinds, make an excellent match for the wine's mineral backbone.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to preserve the wine's natural freshness. Decant for 30-45 minutes to allow the aromatics to open, though it's approachable straight from the bottle. Use large Bordeaux glasses to concentrate the complex nose.
Roc de Cambes sits on steep limestone slopes overlooking the Dordogne, with clay-limestone soils that provide both drainage and water retention. The elevated position catches cooling breezes while the limestone bedrock adds mineral tension to the rich fruit. These challenging slopes require hand-harvesting and produce naturally low yields.
Côtes de Bourg is one of Bordeaux's oldest wine regions but remains overshadowed by the Left Bank's prestige. The appellation allows for creative winemaking within its right bank location, where Merlot thrives on limestone-clay soils. While lacking the cachet of Saint-Émilion, it offers exceptional value and character from producers like Mitjavile.
The 2020 Bordeaux vintage began with one of the wettest winters on record, followed by a scorching summer that nearly broke temperature records across the region. What could have been a disaster became salvation: those deep winter water reserves carried the vines through the heat, while the dry conditions from July onwards concentrated flavours beautifully. The harvest started early and moved quickly, with most châteaux picking under ideal September skies.
We find 2020 Bordeaux surprisingly charming for such a hot year - the wines show ripe, generous fruit without the baked character you might expect. The Merlot-based Right Bank wines are particularly successful, displaying plush damson and blackberry flavours with enough freshness to keep them lively. Cabernet Sauvignon on the Left Bank delivers power and concentration, though some properties struggled more than others with the heat. Most 2020s are drinking beautifully now - this isn't a vintage that demands decades of patience, and we rather like that about it.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Rich blackberry and dark chocolate with mineral precision and silky tannins. It's generous without being heavy, with a distinctive limestone freshness.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now but will develop more complexity over the next decade. Best enjoyed between 2026-2042.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with slow-braised beef, duck confit, or aged hard cheeses. The wine's richness matches robust, rustic cooking.
Should I decant this wine?
Decant for 30-45 minutes to open the aromatics, though it's perfectly approachable straight from the bottle.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. While delicious now, it will reward patience with increased complexity over the next 10-15 years.
Why is François Mitjavile controversial?
His unconventional techniques and late picking divide Bordeaux traditionalists, but create wines of unique personality and expression.
OUR GROWERS
François Mitjavile
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