2019 Belle Brise

The nose is packed with ripe raspberry fruit and vanilla cream, currently more open than the 2020, with lovely sweet spice too. The tannins are slightly firmer with bright acidity – this is generous but focused. Very impressive.

This wine is sold on its texture with concentrated yet silky, elegant tannins that even in youth are beautifully integrated. This plush silkiness certainly equates to the “Musigny of Pomerol” phrase that is often associated with this wine, it is surprisingly delicate for Pomerol, medium bodied but not without some intensity. The aromas are at this stage fairly brooding – ripe black cherry, dry spice, peppered meat, a touch of iron. Compared to it neighbouring vineyard (Chateau Corlacy) the depth of flavour is significant – there is all the fruit but better integrated with darker spices, earthy savoury tones as well as lifted floral perfumes, there is more power too. The tannins are beautifully ripe, delicately layered and bring a lovely sense of freshness to the finish. This is no blockbuster but if you like a more elegant approach to Pomerol, this comes highly recommended.