La Violette 2015

Tasted blind. Lively dark crimson. Ripe black-cherry notes. Very sweet start. Verging on overripe notes with a hint of coconut oak. Big and brazen. Should sprinkle pleasure – except to classicists.Drink 2025-2038

Brooding depth the fruit is ripe the palate fleshy and supple. Mid concentration rich black plum is backed by black cherry and although bright light and fresh at the back the finish has richness depth sweet ripe fruit.

The 2015 La Violette has a perfumed bouquet with dark cherries, raspberry coulis and cassis scents, stylish and elegant, perhaps one of the classically styled wines from this estate. The palate is medium-bodied with candied orange peel and sage on the entry. There is commendable fruit concentration here and although the finish is currently dominated by the 100% new oak, that should easily be assimilated with time in bottle. Excellent. Anticipated maturity: 2022 - 2038.

The 2015 La Violette is the late Catherine Père-Vergé's haut couture Pomerol: pure Merlot destemmed by hand and micro-vinified, then matured in 100% new Saury barrels. Delivering an alcohol at a modest 14.5%, it has a red cherry, kirsch, bergamot and dried orange peel scented bouquet that is defined with a touch of puppy fat; it handles the new oak in stride. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin, well-judged acidity, silky smooth in texture, but perhaps not quite delivering that killer blow on the finish. Nevertheless, it is utterly seductive and very well crafted, one to watch when it is bottled. If you want a polished Pomerol, this is probably the place to come, for character and Pomerol typicité, turn to Le Gay. Drink 2020-2040.

Floral nose. Very sweet start. Very polished - a bit over-sculpted perhaps? Very chewy end.Drink 2023-2032