Winemaker Notes
The Château Bourgneuf vineyard, contiguous to Trotanoy, is situated on the slope of the Pomerol plateau. Its geographical location allows for a maximum of sunlight. This privileged location, together with the nature of its soil, represents essential factors in its quality. Although the slopes are gentle ones, one may consider that the Bourgneuf vineyard is situated on a slope with a South-East/North-West axis.
This association of gravel on clay and pure clay confers upon our wines their complexity, finesse and strength. The planted grape variety proportions at Bourgneuf consist of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. On the soils of Pomerol, the Merlot finds the perfect conditions for its fullest expression.
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesA juicy and linear Pomerol with blackberries, chocolate and hazelnut, but very subtle. Sexy at the same time. Full-bodied with creamy tannins and a savory finish. Dense and layered. Better after 2025.
Barrel Sample: 93-95
The 22-acre vineyard is now producing some very fine wines. This latest vintage shows power as well as the luxury of ripe black Merlot. With richness assured, the wine's structure guarantees aging. Barrel Sample: 93-95
Barrel Sample: 94
Barrel Sample: 91-93
Friendly and open up front, with kirsch, plum gelée and blackberry mixed with wood spice, dark tobacco and savory notes, which add a chunky feel to the finish. Shows good energy, though, and is an admirable effort in the vintage. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
This spot has left its mark on them during 40 years of their careful attention, vigilance and care so as “to give birth to a juice that is the most pure and most powerful” from this earth that is labored and loved. To seek this wine, that is the profound expression of the meeting between the soil and the personality, is to seek creation.
Frederique and her parents work together with a sense of quality and respect for the identity of this exceptional place in mind. Their collaboration is a permanent and evolving exchange between her parents experience and her personal and contemporary approach to the winemaking trade.
A source of exceptionally sensual and glamorous red wines, Pomerol is actually a rather small appellation in an unassuming countryside. It sits on a plateau immediately northeast of the city of Libourne on the right bank of the Dordogne River. Pomerol and St-Émilion are the stars of what is referred to as Right Bank Bordeaux: Merlot-dominant red blends completed by various amounts of Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon. While Pomerol has no official classification system, its best wines are some of the world’s most sought after.
Historically Pomerol attached itself to the larger and more picturesque neighboring region of St-Émilion until the late 1800s when discerning French consumers began to recognize the quality and distinction of Pomerol on its own. Its popularity spread to northern Europe in the early 1900s.
After some notable vintages of the 1940s, the Pomerol producer, Petrus, began to achieve great international attention and brought widespread recognition to the appellation. Its subsequent distribution by the successful Libourne merchant, Jean-Pierre Mouiex, magnified Pomerol's fame after the Second World War.
Perfect for Merlot, the soils of Pomerol—clay on top of well-drained subsoil—help to create wines capable of displaying an unprecedented concentration of color and flavor.
The best Pomerol wines will be intensely hued, with qualities of fresh wild berries, dried fig or concentrated black plum preserves. Aromas may be of forest floor, sifted cocoa powder, anise, exotic spice or toasted sugar and will have a silky, smooth but intense texture.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.