Château Camensac
Château Camensac
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
The history of Château Camensac
The history of this emblematic estate begins with the Popp family's acquisition in 1799, following the French Revolution. Under their vision, Château de Camensac rose in quality and was awarded the status of 5th Cru Classé in the famous 1855 classification. Significant changes were made to the winemaking infrastructure in 1860 by Bruno Popp, notably with the introduction of an innovative mobile press system, marking the beginning of a tradition of innovation.
Over the decades, the estate changed hands several times, testifying to its appeal and importance in the Bordeaux wine scene. In 1964, brothers Elysée and Henri Forner undertook the revitalization of the vineyard with the support of eminent oenologist Émile Peynaud, restoring the lustre of this historic terroir.
In 2005, Château de Camensac made a fresh start under the management of Jean Merlaut and Céline Villars-Foubet, members of the Merlaut family, who were determined to restore the estate's international renown. Under their leadership, the estate has also embarked on a High Environmental Value approach, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation.
Ownership of Château Camensac
Château Camensac belongs to the Merlaut family. In 2005, it was acquired by Jean Merlaut and Céline Villars-Foubet, members of this renowned Bordeaux wine family. Château Camensac is currently owned by the Merlaut family, represented by Jean Merlaut and Céline Villars-Foubet. Under their leadership, Château Camensac has benefited from continuous investment and improvement, both in the vineyards and in the winemaking facilities, in order to maintain and improve the high quality standards that characterize the wines of this prestigious estate.
The Terroir of Château Camensac
Château de Camensac, a prestigious estate classified as the 5th growth in the Haut-Médoc appellation, covers an impressive 86 hectares, divided into 123 parcels in the heart of the Haut-Médoc wine-growing region.
Its terroir is marked by a complex geology, where the vines are rooted in two distinct types of gravel. The Günzian gravels, dating from the Quaternary period, are characterized by thick pebbles and traces of iron, giving the wines power, minerality and elegance. The Villafranchian gravels, from the Tertiary period, have older, smaller stones, giving them a delicate structure and floral aromas. The oceanic climate of the Haut-Médoc region, with mild winters and hot summers, creates ideal conditions for optimal ripening of the grapes, enabling the full expression of the terroir's typicity.
The estate is also committed to environmentally-friendly viticultural practices, with High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3 certification since 2021. Mechanical tillage techniques and biodynamic trials on part of the vineyard help preserve the identity and richness of the terroir, while producing authentic wines of excellence.
Visit the Château Camensac vineyard
Visits to Château Camensac offer an immersive experience into the captivating world of this wine estate steeped in history. Visitors have the opportunity to discover the magnificent 18th-century Carthusian monastery, the historic heart of the estate.
Walking through the vineyards, visitors can explore the plots of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that make up the Château Camensac vineyard. This experience provides a better understanding of the importance of terroir and the influence of grape varieties on the character and quality of the wines produced.
The tour continues with a visit to the cellars, where winemaking techniques are revealed to curious visitors. Here, filled with intoxicating aromas, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the crucial stages in the winemaking process, from grape reception to barrel ageing. Explanations of fermentation, maceration and ageing methods provide an insight into the complexity and expertise required to create Château Camensac wines.
#WINES FROM THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
The Haut-Médoc appellation
The Haut-Médoc appellation is one of the most prestigious and historic in the Bordeaux wine region, located on the left bank of the Gironde. Famous for its elegant, complex red wines. The grape varieties traditionally used in Haut-Médoc wines are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and, to a lesser extent, Petit Verdot and Malbec. This combination of grape varieties produces complex, well-balanced red wines, often with remarkable ageing potential.
Discover our selection of Haut-Médoc wines
Château Camensac vintages
Château Camensac Haut-Médoc Grand Cru Classé
La Closerie de Camensac Haut-Médoc
Second de Camensac Haut-Médoc
Joli Pin de Camensac Haut-Médoc
Château Camensac wines faithfully reflect the exceptional terroir from which they are made. This terroir, characterized by a microclimate beneficial to the vines with mild winters and warm summers with an oceanic influence, favors optimal ripening of the grapes. The soils are marked by the presence of deep gravels, both Villafranchian gravels, common to the Pessac-Léognan soil, and Gunzian gravels, typical of the St Julien appellation, bringing a unique complexity and richness to the wines.
Château Camensac also offers second wines, such as La Closerie de Camensac, which offer an authentic expression of terroir at a more affordable price. Carefully blended from lots selected specifically for this cuvée, La Closerie de Camensac combines supple tannins, red fruit notes and remarkable elegance. La Closerie de Camensac is ready to be enjoyed younger than the grand cru, but can also benefit from an ageing potential of up to 15 years.
Taken as a whole, Château Camensac wines embody excellence and originality, while retaining a modern, refined touch, sometimes surpassing the classic image associated with the Grands Vins de Bordeaux.
The best vintages of Château Camensac; 2005, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
Château Camensac Haut-Médoc Grand Cru Classé 1855
What is the price of Château Camensac wines?
The price of a bottle of Château Camensac varies according to several factors, including the vintage, the cuvée, its rarity and market demand. Older vintages and special cuvées can often fetch higher prices due to their prestige and ageing potential. For all online purchases, explore our site to discover a wide range of Château Camensac selections.
#IN BRIEF: Figures
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation : Haut-Médoc
Surface area : 69 Hectares
Red grape varieties : 57% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 43% Merlot
Vine cultivation : Reasoned