CHÂTEAU LA VIOLETTE
2017 Pomerol
The 2017 La Violette has a very precise bouquet with blackberry and raspberry scents, a touch of iris developing in the glass. This year I certainly find more complexity here than its sibling Le Gay. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a little savory compared to other recent vintages with a soft, velvety finish that feels pure and caressing. This is a delicious La Violette that is less ostentatious than recent vintages and frankly, all the better for it. Drinking range: 2023 - 2045 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
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A good display of house signature here - tight, firm, bright and intense. This is very much about tight, layered flavours of dark blackberry and cassis coulis. It's clearly well made, with real focus and power - a good vintage for these guys that will take its time. Drinking range: 2027 - 2040 Rating: 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)
The 2017 La Violette is another silky, elegant effort that has a Burgundian flare. Black cherries, blueberries, violets, white flowers, and spice characteristics all emerge from this seamless 2017 that is as classy, silky and pure as they come. Total class and up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Rating: 93-96 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)
A bold style, with warm ganache and blackberry preserve flavors filling out the core nicely, while fruitcake and incense accents score the finish. Flashy, and will have fans for sure. Rating: 91-94 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)
This shows substantial fruit and tannin concentration with plenty of dark-berry and dark-chocolate character. Full body, a rounded texture and a delicious finish. A wine that will please in its youth. Rating: 94-95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)
Château La Violette
The wines of Château la Violette should be good but, in truth, have only achieved their potential since the vineyard was bought by Catherine Pere-Verge in 2006. The 1.6 ha vineyard sits atop the Pomerol plateau, next to Château Trotanoy and very near Le Pin. Another plot of vines near to Feytit Clinet that came with the purchase is now used for Château Montveil in order to preserve the absolute quality of Château la Violette. With no chai at la Violette, the wines are made at Château le Gay. It is a tiny vineyard – 1.8ha – and the yields are very small. The vines, many of which are over 60 years old, are 100% Merlot and are planted on clay and gravel soil.