There are typically vivid fruit tones in the wines from the Jean-Pierre Moueix stable in 2015. It might sound daft but they make Pomerol to drink. I don’t mean in a flashy and upfront sense, but wines that appeal through delicacy, balance and harmony. The emphasis here is on fragrance and freshness. There is a vitality across the range that is impressive. Château Lafleur-Gazin and Château Latour à Pomerol are stand-out beauties. Château Bourgneuf is consistent year in, year out and the 2015 looks especially good to me. At the top of the range, there is a brooding effort from Château Hosanna, a delicious and nimble Château La Fleur-Pétrus and what looks to be profound and deep Château Trotanoy. So plenty to enjoy here!

The harvests at the various properties that JP Moueix shepherds started on September 11^th and completed on October 1^st. These are comparatively early harvest dates compared to some in the appellation. Doubtless this accounts for vital, bright fruit qualities displayed in the wines. The growing season, up until August, had been defined by heat and drought. Quantity was always going to be good following even flowering in excellent conditions [very important for the Merlot which is susceptible to flower shatter]. By late July the Moueix team were expecting a vintage like 1990 or 2003 until the weather cooled in August and September, conditions which helped preserve freshness. Rainfall in this period allowed for the proper phenolic ripening of the tannins.

The following wines were tasted at JP Moueix’s Libourne offices on Wednesday 6^th April, 2016.

Château Lagrange, Pomerol

Mid depth; little tighter to the rim; saline and minerals; like the fruit; very Bordeaux; ripe plum; nicely cool, fresh fruit tones; sweet entry; plummy and sweet; nice and ripe; good texture; lots of mid palate richness; this is moreish with good acidity. Like this vivacious side. Ripe and long. This could work very well following elévage and settling. [96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 9ha]. Drink 2019-2026. 90-91+

Château Plince, Pomerol

Mid depth; tight to rim; little wood; some tightness; some red fruits; satin notes; wood on the palate currently; little disjointed; should settle; spices from the Cab Franc; should be good when comes out the other side; some chew at the back; when this settles Plince has the extract to be impressive Pomerol. [74% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 8.5ha]. Drink 2022-2028. 89-91

Château Lafleur-Gazin, Pomerol

Mid depth; red at edge; lovely seductive red; nice lift; sweet plums; ripe; nice entry; harmonious; real satin quality to the fruit – delicacy. This has some genuine sophistication and style. Has length on the back. Little dryness on the end which will fill in. [98% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 8.75ha]. 2022-2030. 91-93+

Château La Grave, Pomerol

Mid depth; deep at centre; purple at edge; little more reticent; some bubblegum; little freshness; saline and mineral note; little subdued; wood is present on the palate; little dryness here; needs to settle and meld a little; has bright fruit. Sap too. Has some length and definition. Fresh finish. [91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9ha]. Drink 2022-2038. 89-91

Château Bourgneuf, Pomerol

Mid depth; nicely deep and flattering nose [much better than Grand Cercle tasting]; lovely perfume and seductive oak; ripe plummy notes but not overripe; very flattering on the nose; palate sweet and ripe; plenty of fruit; oak well integrated; nice spicy edge added by the Cab Franc; very good effort as usual. This has plenty of fruit and is nicely textured on the mid palate. Good effort. Nice chew and sap here. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9ha]. Drink 2020-2030. 90-92+ [Earlier note] Mid depth; fresh and ripe; plums, cherries and blackcurrant notes; easy and pure; nice fruit; attractive on the palate; cherry and plum tones; promising wine at this stage and should fill out further. Tasted Blind Grand Cercle 3/4/16. Drink 2019-2025. 88-90

Château Latour à Pomerol, Pomerol

Nicely vibrant edge; legs; nice depth; little reticent at first; some oak here that’s subdued the aromatics currently I reckon; bright cherry fruit emerges eventually; fresh; purity beneath; fresh; bright acidity with nice fruit tones; lovely red fruit notes too. Depth and extract on the finish but fruit balances nicely. [96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 8ha]. Drink 2022-2030. 91-93+

Château Certan de May, Pomerol

Mid depth; earthy red at edge; ripe fruit; satin quality to the nose; sweetness; sweet strawberry notes; kirsch; nice pretty fruit with perfume; oak nicely integrating; attractive and moreish; nicely vibrant; nice sap and life here; zip and zing on the finish. Plenty of depth too. [80% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5ha]. Drink 2022-2030. 90-92+

Château Hosanna, Pomerol

Mid depth; slightly more focused in the glass; little unyielding at first; layers here; obvious depth but a bit closed on the day; ripe cherry; little savoury/spicy note on the palate; plums and cherries; quite a lot of vigour and freshness to this; zappy wine which has vitality; nice appetizing extract and zing on the finish. Bit reticent showing overall. [82% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 4ha]. Drink 2020-2035. 93-95+

Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol

Mid red; good depth; fresh; plum and cherries on the aromatics; sweet and deliciously ripe; freshness; creamy palate; nice and attractive texture; good body and nice balance; very moreish; not supercharged but digestible. Chocolate and mocha notes on the finish but also quite a bit of zip at the end. Fresh and nimble Le Fleur-Pétrus with terrific balance. [92% Merlot, 7.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot, 18.7ha]. Drink 2020-2040. 95-97+

Château Trotanoy, Pomerol

Brighter at the edge; tight to rim; little reticent at first; depth apparent; violets, black cherry and ripe plum notes start to emerge; freshness; opens up gradually; powerful palate; sappy fruit; like the plums and the cherry notes; refreshing acids. Length on the back. Lovely balance and vitality. Will be long-lived given this balance. [93% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7.2ha]. Drink 2020-2040. 95-97+