Château Roc de Cambes

History of Château Roc de Cambes

The modern history of the estate begins in 1988, when François and Malou Mitjavile acquired this estate located a few hundred metres from the citadel of Bourg. A few years earlier, the couple had revolutionised the image of Saint-Émilion with Château Le Tertre Rôteboeuf, by rehabilitating peasant values, respect for the vine and the truth of terroir. In search of a new project, François Mitjavile responded to a call from a friend who informed him of an estate for sale near Bourg. Captivated from the very first visit by the magnificence of this terroir, its deep layers of cold limestone and its clays, he decided to purchase it on the spot.

This centuries-old estate, endowed with a superb vaulted cellar dating from the fourteenth century, would rapidly become the qualitative driving force of the Côtes de Bourg. By transposing here the expertise and vision that brought glory to Tertre Rôteboeuf, François Mitjavile, today supported by his family, has elevated Roc de Cambes to the rank of the most sought-after wines of Bordeaux. Fiercely independent and passionate about agronomy, this erudite winegrower champions the idea that a great wine is born from the successful blending of an entire estate's harvest, in contrast to the fashion of multiplying cuvées.

Terroir and Vines of Château Roc de Cambes

The vineyard occupies the first slope overlooking the Gironde, a full south-facing exposure considered the most prestigious in the appellation. The river plays an essential regulatory role: it tempers excessive heat as well as the rigours of winter, protects the vines from frost and promotes regular photosynthesis, a guarantee of perfectly ripened grapes. The sloping clay-limestone soils, rich in cold limestone and moisture-retaining clays, allow for a long vegetative cycle and confer depth, complexity and longevity upon the wines.

Made up of vines averaging around 45 years of age, the vineyard extends over approximately ten hectares arranged in an amphitheatre of hillsides. The grape varieties give pride of place to Merlot (around 75%), complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 20%) and a touch of Malbec (close to 5%), with Cabernet Franc also contributing its nuance in the house spirit. Vine management favours permanent grass cover and reasoned lutte raisonnée treatment. Rare in the Bordeaux region, pruning is carried out using the Cordon de Royat method, a short-pruning system that aligns the grape clusters at a uniform height and ensures consistent ripening.

Winemaking at Château Roc de Cambes

The Mitjavile signature rests first and foremost on the pursuit of autumnal ripeness. The vineyard, harvested by hand, is picked late, at the threshold of slight over-ripeness, as grapes gathered at the cusp of their decline age better than overly crunchy primeur wines. It is in this quest for freshness at the heart of a beautiful richness that the singular depth of Roc de Cambes is built — at low yields and without artificial concentration.

The winemaking remains traditional and meticulous, with everything blended from the first pressings and at each racking, in the conviction that a fine wine is the work of an entire estate. This is followed by the lengthy work of ageing, the true key to the style. The wines rest for two to three years in new barrels sourced from a single cooper (fine grain, blonde toast), in a temperature-stable, non-air-conditioned cellar, with regular oxygen input through numerous rackings. This patient ageing tames the tannin, rounds out the substance and shapes wines that evolve beautifully — dense in colour, rich, full-structured and endowed with remarkable ageing potential.

The cuvées of Château Roc de Cambes

Château Roc de Cambes (Côtes de Bourg): the estate's flagship and emblematic cuvée, this fine wine with a dominant of Merlot embodies the quintessence of the premier front de côte facing the Gironde. Its deep, dense robe heralds an exotic and thrilling bouquet blending blackcurrant, black raspberry, vanilla pod, tobacco, wax and empyreumatic roasting notes. The palate, ample and fleshy, captivates with its silky tannins, perfectly integrated oak and a final freshness inherited from the river that balances its power. Refined, precise and of great complexity, this wine can be enjoyed from five years of age but reaches its full maturity between ten and twenty years, depending on the vintage. Often referred to as the grand cru of the Côtes de Bourg, it has nothing to envy from the Bordeaux classified growths.

Domaine de Cambes (Bordeaux): drawn from the slopes at the foot of Roc de Cambes, along the edge of the estuary, this wine in the Bordeaux appellation represents the second face of the estate. Grown on more clay-sandy and siliceous soils, these vines yield a cuvée that is more approachable in its youth, without compromising the house's exacting standards. Aged at length in barrels as well, it reveals a deep purple robe and a generous nose of raspberry, blackcurrant, plum jam and blackberry, lifted by cedar, camphor and gentle spices such as white pepper. The palate is dense, indulgent and full-bodied, carried by exceptionally fine tannins and an elegant freshness that extends a long, earthy finish. A personal Bordeaux with a remarkable quality-to-pleasure ratio, a faithful reflection of François Mitjavile's expertise.