Château Cambon la Pelouse

Château Cambon la Pelouse: An Exceptional Cru Bourgeois from the Haut-Médoc

The Château Cambon la Pelouse, located in the prestigious wine region of Haut-Médoc, is a historic estate renowned for producing refined and fruity wines, appreciated by wine lovers worldwide. Spanning 60 hectares of carefully cultivated vines, this estate benefits from an exceptional terroir between two famous properties: Giscours and Cantemerle. The vineyard enjoys an ideal geographical location, close to the Gironde, on the route of the famous appellations of Margaux and Pauillac, two major references in the Bordeaux vineyard.

History and Origins of Château Cambon la Pelouse

Founded in the early 18th century, Château Cambon la Pelouse is one of the oldest estates in the Médoc. Long overshadowed by some of its great neighboring properties, the estate underwent a revival in the 1990s with the arrival of Jean-Pierre Marie, a former retail executive. He set out to modernize the property, investing in infrastructure and cellars, which significantly improved the quality of the wines produced.

Today, the château is a key reference in the Haut-Médoc, offering wines under the Cru Bourgeois classification, a designation reserved for the best wines of the region that adhere to strict quality and production standards.

An Exceptional Terroir

The terroir of Château Cambon la Pelouse is one of its main assets. Located at the junction between the terroirs of Margaux and Cantemerle, the vineyard benefits from soils primarily composed of gravel. This type of soil is ideal for wine growing as it promotes good drainage and allows the vines to benefit from warmth stored during the day and released at night, optimizing the ripening of the grapes.

The proximity of the Gironde also plays a crucial role in regulating temperatures, offering a unique microclimate favorable to the cultivation of Bordeaux grape varieties. The vines thus benefit from ideal conditions to produce wines of great finesse, marked by beautiful aromatic concentration.

The Grape Varieties: A Perfect Synergy

The vineyard of Château Cambon la Pelouse is planted with the traditional grape varieties of the Médoc region, each contributing its own character to the final wine. The grape composition includes:

• Merlot: Provides suppleness, roundness, and red fruit aromas.
• Cabernet Sauvignon: Adds structure, powerful tannins, and black fruit notes.
• Cabernet Franc: Brings finesse and subtle aromas of spices and herbs.
• Petit Verdot: A complementary grape variety, it imparts spicy aromas and depth to the wine.

This harmonious combination produces wines that are both balanced, elegant, and complex, typical of the Haut-Médoc.

Vinification and Aging: The Pursuit of Perfection

The wines of Château Cambon la Pelouse are crafted with care and passion, respecting traditions while incorporating modern techniques to enhance each vintage. The harvest is done by hand, allowing for a meticulous selection of grapes, ensuring optimal quality.

Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing precise control of fermentation temperatures, essential for extracting aromas and tannins without excess. The wines are then aged in oak barrels, some of which are new, for 12 to 15 months. This process imparts woody and vanilla notes, as well as a beautiful structure to the wines.

The Characteristics of Château Cambon la Pelouse Wines

The wines of Château Cambon la Pelouse are renowned for their elegance, balance, and complexity. They exhibit rich aromas of black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), red fruits (raspberry, cherry), and spicy and woody notes, with a subtle touch of vanilla and cocoa. On the palate, they are both powerful and silky, with well-integrated tannins, offering a long finish and remarkable aging potential.

Notable Vintages of Château Cambon la Pelouse

Some vintages of Château Cambon la Pelouse stand out particularly for their exceptional quality. Among the most notable are:

• 2009: A sunny vintage, with rich and generous wines, showcasing beautiful maturity.
• 2010: Known for its perfect balance between power and freshness, with impressive aging potential.
• 2015: A vintage marked by ideal weather conditions, producing round, fruity wines with great finesse.
• 2016: Considered one of the best vintages of the decade, with complex, deep, and refreshingly balanced wines.

Food and Wine Pairings

The wines of Château Cambon la Pelouse pair wonderfully with a wide variety of dishes. Here are some food and wine pairing suggestions:

• Red meats (beef, lamb) grilled or in sauce.
• Game (venison, wild boar) accompanied by red fruit sauces.
• Aged cheeses, such as brie, comté, or roquefort.
• Truffle-based dishes, to enhance the wine's aromatic complexity.

Why Choose Château Cambon la Pelouse?

Château Cambon la Pelouse embodies both tradition and modernity. Thanks to the investments made by Jean-Pierre Marie and the expertise of the technical teams, the estate now produces wines of remarkable quality, appealing to both amateurs and wine experts. Each vintage reflects the château’s craftsmanship and the excellence of its terroir.

By choosing a wine from Château Cambon la Pelouse, you opt for an elegant, generous wine, perfectly representative of the Haut-Médoc, offering excellent value for money for a Cru Bourgeois.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main grape varieties used at Château Cambon la Pelouse? The vineyard is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Is Château Cambon la Pelouse a wine for aging? Yes, Château Cambon la Pelouse wines have good aging potential. Depending on the vintage, they can be kept for between 10 and 20 years.

What makes the 2016 vintage special? The 2016 vintage is considered exceptional due to ideal weather conditions, producing complex, fresh, and balanced wines with excellent aging potential.

What dishes pair well with Château Cambon la Pelouse wines? The wines pair perfectly with red meats, game, truffle-based dishes, and aged cheeses.

Where is Château Cambon la Pelouse located? Château Cambon la Pelouse is located in the Haut-Médoc, near the Gironde, between the famous estates of Giscours and Cantemerle.

What is the classification of Château Cambon la Pelouse? Château Cambon la Pelouse is classified as a Cru Bourgeois, a mark of quality for Médoc wines.