Editors notes
Merlot 68%, Cabernet Franc 32%
There is a modest shift away from the style of the past two decades at Nenin, a sibling of Léoville Las Cases. The aim is to accentuate more the red-fruit elements and soften some of the tannins; there is even some amphorae used. The grand vin comes solely from the best eight hectares, in the heart of the plateau. The wine is rich and full in colour, ripe with mocha, damson and something ferric. But it remains Nenin at heart and will need a while to fully express itself.
Drink 2027-2042
Details
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Wine Type
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Tasting Profile
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Light (Light)Full (Full)
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Low Tannin (Low Tannin)Tannic (Tannic)
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Sweet (Sweet)Dry (Dry)
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Low Acidity (Low Acidity)High Acidity (High Acidity)
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Aroma
- Cassis
- Plum
- Red Fruits
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Palate
- Cherry
- Plum
- Redcurrant
Food Pairings
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Pork -
Red Meat
Critic Scores & reviews
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James Suckling
97-98"This is from only the old vines in the clay and gravel soils on the plateau. Really fantastic. It’s medium-to full-bodied and the tannins just roll off the palate at the end. Dark fruit and spices. So long. One of the best modern wines from here? 68% merlot and 32% cabernet franc"
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
94-96+"A blend of 68% Merlot (harvested 8th to 16th September) and 32% Cabernet Franc (harvested 21st to 23rd September), the 2020 Nenin is aging in French oak barriques, 40% new. It has an alcohol of 14%, a pH of 3.65 and an IPT (tannin index) of 76. Deep purple-black in color, it glides effortlessly out of the glass with wonderfully pure notes of crushed blueberries, fresh blackberries and ripe red and black plums, plus suggestions of lavender, star anise and Ceylon tea with a waft of cast-iron pan. The medium-bodied palate is fantastically elegant and beautifully poised, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the perfumed red and black fruit layers, finishing long and mineral laced. A real head-turner!"
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Jeb Dunnuck
97"A blend of 68% Merlot and 32% Cabernet Franc raised in 40% new oak, the 2020 Château Nenin brings the intensity up a notch, offering a rock star nose of cassis and darker berries as well as crushed stone, graphite, chocolate, and violets. The purity is spot on and it has a precise, focused texture that's very much in the vintage, flawless balance, and a great finish. It's another gem of a Pomerol in the vintage readers will love to have in the cellar. For the tech geeks out there, the alcohol reached 14% and the pH was 3.65 with an IPT of 76."
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Jancis Robinson MW
17"Deep colour. Purer and more lifted than Fugue with graphite and dark-fruit notes. Juicy and textured on the palate, the fruit plush and the tannins velvety and fine-grained. More sensual and Pomerol-esque than in the past. (JL)"
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Decanter
93"The classic Nenin pencil lead here - you get an intellectual approach to Pomerol at Nenin, with an opening of graphite and liquorice root, but it widens out to show fleshier style of ripe raspberry and black cherry. The tannins give a bite on the finish, and this is one I suggest leaving for a good six to eight years before drinking. 40% new oak, 3.65pH, IPT76. Harvest from September 8th to 23rd. A very good quality Nenin. From 8ha, really focusing only on the heart of the plateau. 40% new oak. Now using 5% amphoras for the Cabernet Franc, which has maybe given this touch of reduction. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040"
Other vintages
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Locations
France
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux has a rich history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman times. Today, it is known as one of the most significant wine regions in the world, with a reputation for producing complex, full-bodied red wines. The region is home to a diverse range of terroirs, each with its own unique microclimate, soil composition, and grape varieties.
The left bank of Bordeaux is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region's gravelly soils. These wines tend to be bold, tannic, and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. On the right bank, Merlot is king, producing wines that are softer and fruitier, with notes of plum, cherry, and chocolate.
Aside from the red blends, Bordeaux is also renowned for its sweet wines, particularly from the Sauternes and Barsac appellations. These wines are made using a unique process that involves botrytis, or "noble rot," which concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine.
Bordeaux's classification system has evolved over time, with some estates moving up or down the ranks depending on the quality of their wines. Today, the system includes five growths, with Premier Cru being the highest and Deuxièmes Crus being the second-highest. There is also a separate classification for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, with Chateau d’Yquem holding the highest rank.
Overall, Bordeaux is a region that continues to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world with its rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional wines.
Pomerol
Pomerol is a highly respected red wine appellation in the Bordeaux region in the south-west of France. Unlike the majority of Bordeaux, (Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Saint-Emilion), Pomerol does not utilize a formal wine classification system.
Merlot is the dominant grape in Pomerol and plays a large part in making the wines smooth and approachable in their youth. Cabernet Franc is also often present, adding structure and an element of savory spice. There is a very high demand for this style of wine on the international market and Pomerol wines are much sought after – particularly because they are also relatively long-lived.
About the brand Chateau Nenin
Two things make Château Nenin standout from the rest of Pomerol – at 32ha it is considerably larger than most in in this crowded appellation; and Nenin has a real bona fide 19th Century château at its core rather than the more usual small shed. Infact it appears more along the lines of something one might find in the Haut-Médoc which is perhaps fitting as, since 1987, it has been in common ownership with Château Potensac and the great Saint Julien estate of Château Leoville Las Cases. As one might expect with such a noble stable-mate, quality has advanced rapidly in line with a lot of healthy investment in the estate. The vineyards are planted with 78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon with an average age of around 30 years. The second wine is Fugue de Nenin.
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