Pomerol & Lalande de Pomerol

Chateau La Pervenche is arguably a more romantic name than the translation into English - it is hard to know how seriously people would take Chateau Blue Periwinkle - but this is a super Bordeaux bargain. Although quite modern in style this fabulous Lalande de Pomerol has a classy poise.

Quite a bold wine with cinnamon spice on the nose and a plump fine-velvet cushiony feel and a warming spicy roundness - fine tannins that speak of the clay soils. Great entry, a little bit missing in the middle, but a rewarding back palate and the ripe warmth of the vintage in the throat....(read more)

The Château Feytit-Clinet 2014 is another strong effort from Jeremy Chasseuil who has reinvigorated this Pomerol cru in recent years, almost under the radar (apart from perhaps the Pomerol cognoscenti and those that bought my tome.) This year is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet...(read more)

Alexandre Thienpont likened the 2004 to 1988, adding 'and not far from 1990'. 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. Very, very classical. Really beautifully fresh and pure. A real hedonist's wine - so pure and so elegant. the finish is hardly more massive, just a even textured delight, a definit...(read more)

The 2013 Petrus was bottled in June 2015, a month before I visited the property to taste with winemaker, Olivier Berrouet. "The idea was to not push too much," he told me. "We didn't use too much wood - around 45% new oak. It would be 55% in a good vintage. The pH is 3.55 an...(read more)

A touch of class on the nose. A deep sweet blackberry and plum fruit. Lovely silk velvet richness of texture, all in flavour-filled finesse of tannin. Absolutely superb, and at the top level of wines tasted this year. Very subtle spice of oak, finishes on flavoury and savoury tannins resol...(read more)