France, Pomerol
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.
Pomerol is a highly respected red wine appellation in the Bordeaux region in the south-west of France. Unlike the majority of Bordeaux, (Médoc, 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.
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.
Pomerol is a highly respected red wine appellation in the Bordeaux region in the south-west of France. Unlike the majority of Bordeaux, (Médoc, 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.
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Deep, saturated purple-colored, the 2018 Château Montviel offers a mouthfilling style as well as terrific notes of ripe black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, and tobacco. It's a layered, beautifully textured, seriously good barrel sample. - Jeb Dunnuck ... Learn More -
I think the 2018 Château Nenin might check in behind the magical 2019, but it's certainly in the same league as the 2016. Based roughly on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, its deep purple color is followed by a beautiful nose of ripe ... Learn MoreChateau Nénin 2018(Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)$168.00 Per item -
The deep purple, inky-hued 2018 Château Gazin comes from the Pomerol plateau and is 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. A brilliant nose of blueberries, candied cherries, wildflowers, tobacco, chocolate, and spice gives way to a stunning Pomerol with full-bodied richness, a ... Learn MoreChateau Gazin 2018 (Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)$218.41 Per item -
This small (8 hectare) property is situated at the edge of the plateau of Pomerol behind Clos L'Eglise. It shot to fame following a 100 point Parker rating in 1989 and then repeated this feat 20 years later. Blackberries and blueberries with subtle black ... Learn MoreChateau Clinet 2018 (Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)$262.50 Per item -
From one of my favorite estates in Pomerol, the 2018 Château Le Gay knocks it out of the park and has that classic Pomerol mix of sexy opulence paired with an incredible sense of finesse. Offering an already complex bouquet ... Learn MoreChateau Le Gay 2018 (Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)$294.00 Per item -
A beautiful expression of this terroir, which always seems to yield a more elegant, complex style of wine, the 2020 Château La Conseillante is based on 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc that saw 70% new French oak. A brilliant perfume of blueberries, ... Learn More -
2021 represents the 150th vintage of the Nicolas family at the head of the estate. To celebrate this event, the Nicolas family offers a unique engraved bottle as well as a specific packaging in cases created for the occasion. "This vintage ... Learn More -
Evangile has some of the same iron-clay soils as Pétrus, but also 25% gravel. The Cabernet Franc buttresses the ripe, late-harvested Merlot. The wine is super-ripe, the palate dense and powerful. The tannins, not acidity, give texture and bite. The ... Learn MoreChateau l'Evangile 2021 (En Primeur - Delivery 2024)$540.00 Per item -
Evangile has some of the same iron-clay soils as Pétrus, but also 25% gravel. The Cabernet Franc buttresses the ripe, late-harvested Merlot. The wine is super-ripe, the palate dense and powerful. The tannins, not acidity, give texture and bite. The ... Learn MoreChateau l'Evangile 2020 (En Primeur - Delivery 2023)$540.00 Per item -
A beautiful expression of this terroir, which always seems to yield a more elegant, complex style of wine, the 2018 Château La Conseillante is based on 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc that saw 70% new French oak. A brilliant perfume of blueberries, ... Learn More -
A deep, dark, and brooding nose gives enticing aromas of black and purple fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice and violet petals. The palate, however is bright and lively, showing vibrant acidity, sweet and tart red and black fruits, a deep, velvet ... Learn More -
"A wonderful wine and one of the best from Pomerol in 2021" - Decanter. This wine opens with a charming, fragrant nose, expressing aromas of ripe plums, juicy red and black berries, baking spice and rose and violet petals. The palate ... Learn MoreVieux Chateau Certan 2021 (En Primeur - arrival 2024)$695.00 Per item -
The flagship 2018 Vieux Château Certan is based on 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc and was brought up in (I suspect) roughly 50% new French oak. It tips the scale at 14.5% natural alcohol, which is the same as the 2010 (slightly higher than ... Learn More -
Made in the more lively, elegant style that seems to be favored these days, the 2018 Château L'Evangile is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Cabernet Franc playing a much more lead role than normal. Beautiful blue fruits, ... Learn MoreChateau Evangile 2018(Ex Chateau arrival time 4 months)$700.00 Per item -
A beautiful expression of this terroir, which always seems to yield a more elegant, complex style of wine, the 2018 Château La Conseillante is based on 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc that saw 70% new French oak. A brilliant perfume of blueberries, ... Learn More
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