
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
- Deeply colored, the 2018 Château Rouget is another impressive Pomerol, which is a region loaded with impressive wines in 2018. Cassis, black raspberries, white chocolate, and a touch of spicy wood all flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered, expansive 2018 ... Learn MoreRouget Pomerol 2018 (Ex Chateau arrivale time 4 months)$121.80 Per item
- The Second wine of famous Estate Chateau Nenin. Fugue de Nénin was created and first sold in 1997. Fugue comes from sandy-clay soils found in the eastern part of the Château’s vineyards, as well as from the young ... Learn MoreChateau Nenin Fugue De Nénin Pomerol 2015$125.00 Per itemOut of stock
- The Second wine of famous Estate Chateau Nenin. Fugue de Nénin was created and first sold in 1997. Fugue comes from sandy-clay soils found in the eastern part of the Château’s vineyards, as well as from the young ... Learn MoreChateau Nenin Fugue De Nénin Pomerol 2009$125.00 Per itemOut of stock
- 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 MoreNénin Pomerol 2018(Ex Chateau arrivale time 4 months)$168.00 Per item
- The 2018 Château Le Bon Pasteur comes from the home estate of renowned oenologist Michel Rolland and is a Merlot-dominated blend (there’s normally a splash of Cabernet Franc) brought up in plenty of new barrels. This deep purple-colored beauty ... Learn More
- Château La Croix de Gay is managed by Alain Raynaud and Chantal Lebreton. The Lebreton family is an historic line of Pomerol winemakers that began their trade in 1772 but first arrived in the village way back in in 1477. The ... Learn MoreChateau La Croix De Gay 2009$199.00 Per itemOut of stock
- 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 MoreGazin Pomerol 2018 (Ex Chateau arrivale 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 MoreClinet Pomerol 2018 (Ex Chateau arrivale 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 MoreLe Gay Pomerol 2018 (Ex Chateau arrivale time 4 months)$294.00 Per item
- A particularly dark and concentrated wine here, with a deep purple-black hue right out to rim. The fruit is just explosive, with creamy vanilla tinges on top of dark, macerated fruit skins, all plum and damson and cherry, with a ... Learn MoreChateau Clinet 2015$350.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "This is the greatest Conseillante in modern times. Full body and incredible tannins that are polished and velvety. The texture lasts for minutes. I am speechless. What a young and awe-inspiring wine!" write James Suckling in 2017 upon trying this wine ... Learn MoreChateau La Conseillante 2017 Arriving March 2021$450.00 Per item
- Maturity: Drink 2013-2028 (For laying down). 11% Cabernet Franc and 89% Merlot. ... Learn MoreChateau La Conseillante 2012 Arriving March 2021$450.00 Per item
- An exquisite bouquet of incense, raspberry jam, kirsch, licorice, and hints of black olives as well as flowers. This broadly perfumed Pomerol exhibits sensational purity, sweet tannin, medium to full body, and outstanding elegance and finesse. ... Learn MoreChateau La Conseillante 2008 Arriving March 2021$475.00 Per item
- "This is the greatest Conseillante in modern times. Full body and incredible tannins that are polished and velvety. The texture lasts for minutes. I am speechless. What a young and awe-inspiring wine!" write James Suckling in 2017 upon trying this wine ... Learn MoreChateau La Conseillante 2016$499.00 Per itemOut of stock
- abulously situated alongside Cheval Blanc and L'Evangile, this property has a long track record of making outstanding wine that is never forced or over-extracted. Purchased by Louis Nicolas in 1871, it has remained in his family's ownership ever since. 11.8 hectares planted 83% ... Learn MoreChateau La Conseillante 2018 (Bonded - En Primeur)$550.00 Per itemOut of stock
- Composed of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Vieux Château Certan sports a deep garnet-purple colour. No mincing about, the bouquet absolutely prances out of the glass with stunning scents of candied violets, chocolate-covered cherries, roses and eucalyptus ... Learn MoreVieux Chateau Certan 2017$562.00 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 back vintage release from one of our key European suppliers, this wine has been exported direct from the Negociant cellar in Bordeaux. Nose of apple wood, cherry, sandalwood, black tea, and plum notes. Smooth, deep, and a step up ... Learn MoreChateau La Fleur-Petrus 2010$630.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "The 2016 Vieux Château Certan is a wine of extraordinary beauty. Rich, seamless and voluptuous in the glass, it exudes sensuality in all of its dimensions." - 97-100 points, Antonio Galloni "It’s a wine that seduces you with every ... Learn MoreVieux Chateau Certan 2016$649.00 Per itemOut of stock
- 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 MoreEvangile Pomerol 2018(Ex Chateau arrivale time 4 months)$700.00 Per item
- "The fruit is forward and precocious, but there is enough stuffing, structure, and density for the wine to evolve for 20-25 years." 96 pts Robert Parker ... Learn MoreChateau La Conseillante 2005 Arriving March 2021$799.00 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
- 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
- The panoply of exotic aromas and flavors typically encompasses black raspberry, mulberry, iron, cocoa powder, truffle and expensive new oak. Petrus bottlings are generally 100% Merlot, although some vintages will contain 2-3% of Cabernet Franc. The vineyard itself is planted to 95% ... Learn MoreChateau Petrus 1971$7,000.00 Per itemOut of stock
- The 2016 Pétrus just coats the tongue right away with alluring raspberry and loganberry fruit, full of spice aromas and a gorgeous anise streak. A black tea note echoes through the finish, which is broad and rich yet defined and, ... Learn MoreChateau Petrus 2016$7,500.00 Per itemOut of stock
- The 1990 Petrus remains incredibly young, one of the least evolved wines of the vintage (along with Montrose and Beausejour-Duffau). This dense ruby/purple-colored effort is beginning to hint at the massive richness and full-bodied intensity lurking beneath its wall of ... Learn MoreChateau Petrus 1990$12,000.00 Per itemOut of stock