Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Owned by the Hessel family since the 15th century, this estate has produced a dense and solid Merlot-dominated wine. It is big and bold with ripe berry fruits and dark tannins. The black plum skin and berry flavors are concentrated and firm. It needs to age, so drink from 2018.
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.
On the northern border of the acclaimed Pomerol region, Lalande de Pomerol is an incredible source of impressive Merlot-based wines, but at a fraction of the price compared to its southern neighbor. The region has the potential to offer the same concentration of the finest in Pomerol, but typically not without a touch of appealing rusticity.