Roc de Cambes

About Roc de Cambes

Roc de Cambes is the Côtes de Bourg estate of François Mitjavile, on the right bank of the Gironde estuary. Mitjavile is best known for Château Tertre Roteboeuf in Saint-Émilion; from the late 1980s, Roc de Cambes brought his meticulous, ripeness-conscious approach to Bourg. The property has consequently become one of the leading names in an appellation that receives less attention than the more famous Bordeaux areas farther upstream.

The vineyards lie on slopes near Bourg-sur-Gironde, overlooking the broad estuary. This setting matters: the Gironde moderates temperature extremes, while clay and limestone soils on the slopes contribute water retention, structure and freshness. Merlot is the central grape variety, supported by Cabernet Franc and Malbec. These right-bank varieties suit the temperate maritime climate well, although vintage conditions and ripening weather naturally remain decisive.

In the cellar, Roc de Cambes aims for concentration without losing its sense of place. Its wines are generally deep and ripe in style, showing dark and red fruit, plum, spice and earthy notes, often with a distinct yet integrated oak influence. The palate tends to be generous and velvety, with limestone-derived freshness and Cabernet Franc helping to provide lift and length. This is not a lightweight expression of Bordeaux; the intention is balance between ripe fruit, tannin and freshness.

The principal wine is Roc de Cambes Côtes de Bourg. It can be appealing young after decanting, while strong vintages also evolve well in bottle, gaining cedar, tobacco and dried-fruit complexity. Roc de Cambes demonstrates that Côtes de Bourg can produce wines of real depth and ageing capacity when favourable slopes, restrained yields and careful work in vineyard and cellar come together.

• Estate of François Mitjavile
• Located in right-bank Côtes de Bourg
• Sloping vineyards near the Gironde
• Merlot is the leading variety
• Known for a deep, ripe style