Pomerol & Lalande de Pomerol

Release date: 13/6/2024

The 2023 Le Pin is another strong effort for this small Pomerol winery, wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, violets, exotic spices and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, polishedThe 2023 Le Pin is another strong effort for this small Pomerol winery, wafting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, violets, exotic spices and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, polished and suave, it's velvety and refined, with attractive purity of fruit, lively acids and a long, gently vanillin-inflected finish. It's the result of multiple harvests, starting with young vines, between September 11 and 23. Rating: 94-96 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Apr 2024)

Release date: 13/6/2024

The blend is 88% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, from 12 hectares of vines, picked at a yield of 43 hl/ha. The Merlot was picked from September 7th starting with young vines on gravel, through to theThe blend is 88% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, from 12 hectares of vines, picked at a yield of 43 hl/ha. The Merlot was picked from September 7th starting with young vines on gravel, through to the 20th, and the Cabernet Franc on October 2nd. A very fresh, harmonious and rather swish style on the nose, with dried blackcurrants, blackberries, roses and violets, with a touch of dark chocolate. It displays lovely harmony at the start of the palate, with succulent dark fruits, holding up nicely though the middle, showing savoury and fresh, with a medium body, and a fine-grained backbone of tannins which shapes and guides the fruit through to the finish. Wonderful midpalate drive, with fresh substance, plenty of delicious grip but more significantly it feels bright and alive, through to a finish riven with grippy tannin and fresh acidity. A delicious and perfumed La Conseillante which should develop well. The alcohol is about 14%. Rating: 96-98 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 11/6/2024

The 2023 Vieux Château Certan is like a drug. Its exotic aromatics, deeply layered fruit and sublime textures are just captivating. I tasted the 2023 from an assembled base blend and four coreThe 2023 Vieux Château Certan is like a drug. Its exotic aromatics, deeply layered fruit and sublime textures are just captivating. I tasted the 2023 from an assembled base blend and four core components. Every wine was nothing short of breathtaking. When I think of the archetypes of greatness in Bordeaux, VCC is one of them. The 2023 is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Like all producers, Alexandre and Guillaume were forced to decide whether to pick their Cabernets before or after the September rains. As it turned out, none of the lots picked before the rain made it into the Grand Vin. Only those picked later were deemed of high enough quality. Drinking range: 2031 - 2063 Rating: 96-98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 7/6/2024

The Clinet vineyard now includes 0.5 hectares absorbed from Château Lécuyer, which Ronan Laborde purchased in 2022. The blend is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. I get sweet blackcurrant fruitThe Clinet vineyard now includes 0.5 hectares absorbed from Château Lécuyer, which Ronan Laborde purchased in 2022. The blend is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. I get sweet blackcurrant fruit on the nose here, with raspberry jam, damson, tar, espresso and rose petal, fragrant and deliciously expressive. The palate shows the same beautifully pure and floral dark fruit as seen on the nose, with veins of finely grained tannins (particularly on the second sample tasted), which come to the fore in the midpalate, before they wrap themselves tightly around the finish. An impressive barrel sample which reflects the success of the vintage in Pomerol, and also the long years of work Ronan Laborde has put it here. Well done, this is delicious. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 6/6/2024

Aromas of dark wild berries, cassis, chocolate, spices and coniferous forest preface the 2023 Petit Village, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a rich, concentrated core of fruitAromas of dark wild berries, cassis, chocolate, spices and coniferous forest preface the 2023 Petit Village, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a rich, concentrated core of fruit framed by a structured texture, powdery tannins and concluding with an oak-inflected finish. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

The 2023 Guillot-Clauzel is gorgeous. Fresh, floral and medium in body, this is all class from start to finish. Since taking over winemaking for this small, two-hectare property in 2018, GuillaumeThe 2023 Guillot-Clauzel is gorgeous. Fresh, floral and medium in body, this is all class from start to finish. Since taking over winemaking for this small, two-hectare property in 2018, Guillaume Thienpont has really dialed in the approach. The denser, oakier winemaking of the first few years has evolved into an approach that seeks to exalt the finesse this site is capable of. The 2023 is really quite delicious. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

The 2023 La Croix St Georges is a terrific effort from this estate that neighbors Le Pin and shares a similar gravelly terroir. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of mulberries, plums and raspberriesThe 2023 La Croix St Georges is a terrific effort from this estate that neighbors Le Pin and shares a similar gravelly terroir. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of mulberries, plums and raspberries mingled with hints of licorice and kirsch, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit and a seamless, complete profile. Rating: 93-95 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (May 2024)

Release date: 5/6/2024

This solid, structured Pomerol boasts a very tight and focused palate of fruit and chewy tannins, yet it remains polished and focused. This has a real sense of provenance.This solid, structured Pomerol boasts a very tight and focused palate of fruit and chewy tannins, yet it remains polished and focused. This has a real sense of provenance. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 Le Gay is intensely aromatic, floral and quite pretty. Crushed flowers, spice, mint, herbs, licorice and tobacco meld into a core of dark red/purplish berry fruit. All the elements are veryThe 2023 Le Gay is intensely aromatic, floral and quite pretty. Crushed flowers, spice, mint, herbs, licorice and tobacco meld into a core of dark red/purplish berry fruit. All the elements are very nicely balanced in this stylish, mid-weight Pomerol from the Parent family. The 2023 is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc vinified entirely in 100% new French oak barrels. Élevage is projected to be 14 months, about 2 months shorter than normal. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

Full-bodied with a rich and chunky mid-palate, packed with fruit and chewy tannins. It’s very well framed and muscular, but not heavy. This should develop well with more time in barrel.Full-bodied with a rich and chunky mid-palate, packed with fruit and chewy tannins. It’s very well framed and muscular, but not heavy. This should develop well with more time in barrel. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 La Chenade shows a dark, somber profile, evoking aromas of gentian, licorice, mulberries and violet. Medium-bodied with a layered and rich palate, it’s creamy and enrobing with velvetyThe 2023 La Chenade shows a dark, somber profile, evoking aromas of gentian, licorice, mulberries and violet. Medium-bodied with a layered and rich palate, it’s creamy and enrobing with velvety tannins and a long, firm finish. It was made entirely from Merlot grapes that are matured in new oak barrels, comprising 40% of the total. Drinking range: 2025 - 2040 Rating: 90-92 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 L’Eglise-Clinet is fabulous. Rich, deep and vertical in structure, this is all poise. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are impeccably balanced. Time in the glass helpsThe 2023 L’Eglise-Clinet is fabulous. Rich, deep and vertical in structure, this is all poise. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are impeccably balanced. Time in the glass helps this open a bit, but the 2023 is a wine of reserve—a wine that is not showing all its cards. Gravel, incense, tobacco, dried herbs and mocha open with some coaxing. This will be stellar in time. Drinking range: 2030 - 2053 Rating: 94-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

In 2023 this comes from the usual selection of parcels, and it is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked from September 9th, the Cabernet Franc on the 14th. I like theIn 2023 this comes from the usual selection of parcels, and it is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked from September 9th, the Cabernet Franc on the 14th. I like the Cabernet aromatics here, as even though it is only 10% of the blend it presents a core of perfumed griottes and wild violets which speak clearly of Cabernet Franc. The palate is beautifully silky and elegant, with a sweet texture of fruit, silky and medium-bodied, with an underpinning of rich tannins. This works very well, although it will need quite a few years in the cellar to absorb these tannins. The alcohol is 14.4% on analysis. Rating: 92-94 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 4/6/2024

The 2023 Les Cruzelles is a potent, deep wine. The 2023 has all the Cabernet Francs from the Lalande-de-Pomerol estate blended with Merlots that were particularly abundant. Pretty floral and savoryThe 2023 Les Cruzelles is a potent, deep wine. The 2023 has all the Cabernet Francs from the Lalande-de-Pomerol estate blended with Merlots that were particularly abundant. Pretty floral and savory notes from the Franc give this mid-weight, dynamic, vibrant Lalande-de-Pomerol tons of charm. I especially admire its energy. Readers will want to give this a few years in bottle. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 91-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2024)

Release date: 3/6/2024

Inky, juicy, blueberry and blackberry fruits, has Pomerol typicty, slate character, fresh and with depth that makes you engage with what is going on, highly enjoyable. 30% new oak for ageing, 30hl/haInky, juicy, blueberry and blackberry fruits, has Pomerol typicty, slate character, fresh and with depth that makes you engage with what is going on, highly enjoyable. 30% new oak for ageing, 30hl/ha yield. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

This is very tight, transparent and sleek. Medium body, very fine tannins and a racy, bright finish. The tannins are so refined and polished. 74% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 6% cabernet sauvignon.This is very tight, transparent and sleek. Medium body, very fine tannins and a racy, bright finish. The tannins are so refined and polished. 74% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 6% cabernet sauvignon. From organically grown grapes. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 23/5/2024

A very tight and focused red with racy tannins and a linear, racy texture. It’s medium-bodied with excellent energy and plenty of blackberry and olive flavors. Very long finish. 14% alcohol. 3.7 pH.A very tight and focused red with racy tannins and a linear, racy texture. It’s medium-bodied with excellent energy and plenty of blackberry and olive flavors. Very long finish. 14% alcohol. 3.7 pH. 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 17/5/2024

I find sweet blackcurrant fruits on the nose, layered with smoke, black pepper and liquorice, on the nose of the 2023 Gazin. The palate follows this rather promising start with layers of sweet blackI find sweet blackcurrant fruits on the nose, layered with smoke, black pepper and liquorice, on the nose of the 2023 Gazin. The palate follows this rather promising start with layers of sweet black fruits, white peach, peony and thyme, underpinned by ripe tannins which pervade the palate and persist into the finish. Lots of rich character here, with the salty fruit confidence of the vintage, and fine grip. This is an impressive showing for Gazin, and makes this an interesting prospect for the cellar. Tasted twice. Rating: 93-95 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

The 2023 Blason de L’Évangile is a very pretty second wine. Pliant and expressive, with fine persistence, the 2023 offers up plenty of dark-toned fruit, along with touches of spice, leather, tobaccoThe 2023 Blason de L’Évangile is a very pretty second wine. Pliant and expressive, with fine persistence, the 2023 offers up plenty of dark-toned fruit, along with touches of spice, leather, tobacco and incense that build with time. The darker, riper side of the year comes through nicely here. This is an unusual Blason that is mostly Merlot, with just a touch of Franc. There's a touch of tightness on the finish that hopefully will soften with élevage. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 89-91 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

Release date: 2/5/2024

78 Merlot, 21 Cabernet Franc, 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5% alc 45 hl/ha 3.7 pH Harvest was 4 - 28 September I was fortunate to taste at L’Evangile with Saskia de Rothschild and78 Merlot, 21 Cabernet Franc, 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 13.5% alc 45 hl/ha 3.7 pH Harvest was 4 - 28 September I was fortunate to taste at L’Evangile with Saskia de Rothschild and winemaker Juliette Couderc. It has been a running theme in my tasting notes that the glorious wines of the 2023 vintage could never have been so successful without repeated human intervention. I abhor the lines, ‘wine is made in the vineyard’ and ‘we did nothing, the wine just made itself’! Grapes are grown in the vineyard, and wine is made in a winery, and without seriously talented, dedicated, hard-working and experienced people, we would never have the sensational wines found hither and thither in the 2023 vintage. This is because multiple decisions had to be made throughout the year with accuracy and conviction, and the speed taken to deploy one’s actions determined the very best wines. At the top of our list of discussion points at Evangile were the pivotal decisions made during the growing season. Firstly, there were perfect flowering conditions, and they needed to control the vigour. In the end, three green harvests took place, which brought a possible gigantic yield of 60-70 hl/ha to a much more realistic but still remarkably generous 42 hl/ha. Mildew pressure was immense, too, but again, they brought it under control with extreme discipline and speed (on one occasion, spraying four times in one week). The gravel sectors in the vineyard came in first, with the younger vine Merlots starting on 4 September, and the blue clay plots waited until mid-September. Terroir dictated the sequence of harvesting, with the Cabernets coming last in perfect condition. At every step, humans threw the dice, knowing that they would win – and they did. The fruit and power explode on the nose here in a fanfare of Cabernet Franc lifted high onto the shoulders of the rock-steady Merlot. My mind raced back to the awe-inspiring 2022 vintage, and while that wine was calm and complete, this 2023 is active, challenging and shapeshifting, making you work to shadow it around the glass. Usually, Juliette and her team build this wine from a blue clay Merlot base, moulding Cabernet Franc around this central structure to create a final wine, but this year, Franc was so impressive that they started assembling the wine with twin pillars of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and the results are astounding. The tannins and the sense of place and earthiness are profound, giving this place a precise GPS flavour that makes it irresistible. With both varieties granted the same respect and importance, the result is a wine with an astonishing perfume, epic tension, and tremendous build quality. Like I say – made by humans, and in this instance, made by humans with elite skills. Rating: 19+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2024)

Release date: 30/4/2024

The 2023 Nénin is a classy wine that marries power with nuance. Cabernet Franc plays a prominent role here, and that comes through in its aromatic presence and overall feel. There's also a touch ofThe 2023 Nénin is a classy wine that marries power with nuance. Cabernet Franc plays a prominent role here, and that comes through in its aromatic presence and overall feel. There's also a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, which no doubt contributes to the wine's profile as well. Rose petal, mocha, spice, licorice, leather and cedar are all laced together in this powerhouse Pomerol. I can't wait to see where this goes. Drinking range: 2027 - 2043 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 Feytit-Clinet is fabulous. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of blue/black fruit, gravel, chocolate, scorched earth, lavender and liquified rocks. Feytit-ClinetThe 2023 Feytit-Clinet is fabulous. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of blue/black fruit, gravel, chocolate, scorched earth, lavender and liquified rocks. Feytit-Clinet is often a rich, structured Pomerol, but in 2023, the tannins are totally woven into the wine's fabric, making for a wine that marries power with finesse. Clean mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2023 will see 14-15 months in oak—70% new and 30% once-used barrels. Yields were a healthy 42 hectoliters per hectare. Tasted two times. Drinking range: 2030 - 2048 Rating: 93-95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

The 2023 La Pointe is a supple, fruity wine Pomerol endowed with good depth. Today, the aromatics are not pristine, but I suspect a less-than-perfect sample is the culprit. The style is one ofThe 2023 La Pointe is a supple, fruity wine Pomerol endowed with good depth. Today, the aromatics are not pristine, but I suspect a less-than-perfect sample is the culprit. The style is one of forward fruit and supple, generous contours. Drinking range: 2028 - 2043 Rating: 89-92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2024)

This is very long and tight with wonderful al-dente fruit, such as blackberry and orange peel. Fine tannins run the length of the wine, keeping it fresh and vivid at the end. 97% merlot and 3%This is very long and tight with wonderful al-dente fruit, such as blackberry and orange peel. Fine tannins run the length of the wine, keeping it fresh and vivid at the end. 97% merlot and 3% cabernet franc. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2024)