POH-mehr-all Small and Seductive

It's a tiny region, and it has no classification system. But the wines produced from Pomerol can be sensuous and life-changing. Here lies Chateau Pétrus, one of the most expensive and sought-after wines of the world – many vintages commanding prices higher than the first-growth chateaux of the Médoc. The area is all vines, with no real town center, just roads connecting the lands and small, farmhouse style chateaux.

Notable Facts

Soils in the area are primarily gravel based, intermittent with a clay subsoil, which is a factor in the rich flavors of the wines. Like its right bank neighbors, Pomerol sticks mainly to Merlot, with at least 2/3 of the land under vine growing the variety. Cabernet Franc makes up most of the remainder, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and a spot or two of Malbec. Vines are old and yields are extremely low – add those factors to the soil, and it's a recipe for an elegant, distinctive wine, with typical descriptors of intense aromas, ripe fruits and supple tannins. Quality can be vintage-dependent - in a good vintage, expect melt-in-your-mouth wine.