The Ballande family acquired Camparian 200 years ago and have owned it ever since. Camparian is also one of the few chateaux with its own import and marketing company, Sovex, which manages several prestigious chateaux in Bordeaux and other areas in France, along with estates in Italy, Spain and the New World.
The distinctive label on the bottle shows two ancient and tribal-inspired statues that are still standing on the estate. And of course, the label boasts the Graves appellation as well. The word Graves literally means “gravel,” which refers to the soil here. It could barely be described as soil, as it is comprised of mostly rocks and stones. But, that’s the best type of soil in which to grow grapes. It forces the vine to search for water and, in so doing, strengthens the roots and branches, which is important in the resultant flavors of the grapes.
The wine comprises 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% each of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This combination is what accounts for the tremendous presence of the wine with staggering flavors of black cherry mixed with spice and vanilla, ready to take on lamb shanks or beef bourguignon.
