Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Situated in the southern part of Pomerol, where soils are more sand and gravel dominant, this estate covers 13 hectares of vines with an average age of 30 years. The vineyards are divided up into nine separate parcels producing 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Following fermentation in 100 hectolitre vats for the Merlot and 50 hectolitres tanks for the Cabernet Franc, the wine is aged in 40% new French oak barrels for 12-16 months and then transferred for a further four months to tanks to reduce the impact of the oak. JA: Medium ruby colour, appealing cedar and woodsmoke on the nose, a little soft through the palate. Enjoyable, lacks a little impact but this is an attractive wine. AH: Leafy on the nose. Plenty of grip on the palate but rather lean and a touch of bitterness on the palate here. Lacks a little joy. TT: Bright ruby with crimson tints. Appealing aromatics with bright red cherry and cassis and subtle toast and vanilla - intense flavours of black cherry and blackberry - fine tannin structure and vibrant acidity leading to a long refreshing finish. Drinking Window 2021 - 2035
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James Suckling
Fabulous aromas of blackberries, black olives and black tea. Perfumed. Full-bodied yet so fine with poised tannins. Polished and beautiful. Stunning. 91% merlot and 9% cabernet franc. Best ever. Drink in 2021.
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.
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.