Old School Bordeaux Lover Rejoice: 2000 Château Cambon La Pelouse

WINE TALK
#1

I’ve had Cambon la Pelouse once that I can recall prior to this one last night. The 2002 and it was actually quite good and drinking well in an old school way a few years back. When an auction lot of four bottles of this came up last year I knew I couldn’t pass it up, and definitely overpaid relative to market value ($74 CAD/bottle all in), however on popping the cork last night with striploin steak for Valentine’s Day I was sure happy I had made the purchase. Definitely one of those Cru Bourgeois that could embarrass a classified growth if tasted blind. Some notes in CT mentioned notable oak which I didn’t find here at all. This was rocking from when the cork was popped through several hours in the decanter.

Thanks to those on this board who brought up this name a few times when discussing affordable and traditionally styled Bordeaux. You kept it front of mind for me.

  • 2000 Château Cambon La Pelouse - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc (2/14/2022)
    This wine pours medium ruby with light bricking toward the rim. The nose is old school, mature bordeaux all the way showing cigar wrapper, green tobacco, dark cherry, mushroom, wet moss, black currant, celery seed, and old leather. Just beautifully classic and old school bordeaux in a totally open and mature style. Hugely appealing. The palate is fairly resolved showing medium minus tannin, medium acid and a fairly structured gravelly, black currant and tobacco laced finish. What a wonderful overachieving wine. I’m positive that if you slipped this in a tasting of traditionally styled second growths of a similar age but from a slightly a lesser vintage ('99, '01) this would fit right in which is a huge compliment. (92 pts.)
#2

Great note and commentary. I like this 2000 very much, and 05 and 10 are fantastic QPRs as well. Bouard took over in 2013 and the property was sold in 2019, So recent vintages may not be the same. I have not tried since Bouard took over, and I definitely do not like what he did to château Lanessan.

#3

Sadly, mine are all gone. This wine was a QPR all-star.

#4

I went through a case of the 2005 when it was young (let’s say before age 10) and quite liked it, but back then I thought it was fruity/good in a middle of the road kind of style. I didn’t think it was uber traditional, but maybe time has calmed the fruit down. Not sure how modern vintages rate/taste but these are great for younger/new enthusiasts to lay down. They can age in a positive way and are still priced for consumers.

#5

I’ve had a handful of the ‘14’s and they retained that rustic old Bdx style. They were approachable but still traditional. They are all gone from my cellar if that’s any indication!

Anything past that, your guess is as good as mine.

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