WTN: 2001 Cambon La Pelouse

David Bueker's tasting note on the 2001 Cap de Faugeres and subsequent discussion, including this wine, prompted me to open my last bottle.

This is the little engine that could. Small wine, decent vintage, big winner. Typical Bordeaux aromas. On the palate, cassis, tobacco, and espresso. Well balanced with a satisfying finish and an enjoyable bottle. I'm kind of sorry, this was the last of my trio. If you have it, I would drink it now while the fruit is still alive, and the tannins are soft.

[Jenise]

I loved the 2000. In 2003, I bought a handful of previously-unknown-to-me 00 Bdx's to share with a friend (who collects Palmer and Lafite, so no slouch when it comes to this category) on the roadtrip that was driving my little black Jag up here to its new home. We didn't drink them blind, but the prices ranged from $15 to $50ish and we didn't know which was which. The Cambon was our hands-down favorite--and the cheapest of the lot. Too bad I missed out on the 01's, but it's great that you did not. This is probably a smashing buy in the 05.

I bought a case of the Cambon La Pelouse in half bottles (I forget the year but I'm thinking '01). I had one bottle and then another and ended up taking the wine back to the shop in exchange for something else. After reading these posts, I'm thinking maybe I should have waited, but I was not impressed at the time.

I bought a case of the Cambon La Pelouse in half bottles (I forget the year but I'm thinking '01). I had one bottle and then another and ended up taking the wine back to the shop in exchange for something else. After reading these posts, I'm thinking maybe I should have waited, but I was not impressed at the time.

I think it needed a couple of years to put on some weight and develop into an interesting little wine. I have come across this phenomenon many times. It was well worth the reasonable price a few years ago when I purchased it. I didn't expect a great or exciting wine, but it was very satisfying.

Jenise - my first bottle was purchased by my son who lived right near K & L Wines in San Francisco. He was coming here for a visit, and asked what I would like him to pick up at the shop. That was the wine I chose. A few months later, our local Costco had them on sale for a couple of dollars less, and I picked up 2 more bottles. So for $17.99 and $15.99, I felt it was money well spent. It was an easy wine choice for a Wednesday evening dinner of braised chicken thighs with potatoes and carrots.

As my memory kicks in a little more, I recall that there was an off-putting taste to the wine that I opened which lead me to take it back. It didn't seem to be simply an immature wine. Regardless, it's been several years and I believe I traded the case for the Chateau Recounge which was very nice.

I opened my first of four last night. In a nice spot with decent fruit and some secondary flavors peeking through. Scores high on the QPR scale.