Only seven wines from Pomerol were shown at the MW 2016 tasting back in late 2021. They were all thrilling. The pick for me was Château La Conseillante. This is so plush and layered, yet despite the density and concentration it dazzles and dances on the palate. What a wine. Château Trotanoy was its equal. It was cool and fresh yet with layer upon layer of flavour. Wonderful balance. Super wines have also been made by Château Clinet and Château Gazin. The former creamy and opulent as usual, the latter, sturdy with plenty of textured fruit and notes of smoked charcuterie and meats. Château Hosanna showed excellent purity and Château La Fleur Pétrus had wonderfully plummy fruit tones with texture and depth. Château Nénin was jam packed with plum and black cherry fruit. This property has advanced so much since the Delon tenure here.

The following notes were taken in December 2021 at the annual MW Institute Bordeaux tasting. Next up notes on the Bordeaux 2018s.

Château Clinet, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; heady aromatics with succulent black fruits and creamy notes; ripe plums and black cherries; creamy and inky palate that is concentrated and opulent; wonderfully attractive texture. Works very well indeed in that hedonistic style. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% alc]. Drink now-2046. Tasted 1/12/21. 96

Château Gazin, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; meaty savoury nose of smoked charcuterie – very attractive; plenty of fruit but textured and sturdy; palate has a good balance with freshness and acidity. Moreish – which is not always the case in this appellation. An excellent 2016 in a more digestible style. [87% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc]. Drink now – 2046. Tasted 1/12/21. 95+

Château Hosanna, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; some bottle stink that blew off; ripe and mineral with some schist notes; plums and cherries dominate the fruit profile; this has acidity and crunch. Appetizing. Funny how 14 degrees now stands in elegant, but these days it does. [85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc]. Drink 2026-2046. Tasted 1/12/21. 94+

Château La Conseillante, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; ripe and concentrated; lovely plummy, black cherry notes and refreshing purity; textured palate with layers of black fruit; quite inky and concentrated but not extracted in feel. This has real finesse with a savoury finish. Lovely Pomerol. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc]. Drink now-2046. Tasted 1/12/21. 98+

Château La Fleur Pétrus, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; plums and black fruits alongside leafy, schist notes; this has length and depth on the palate with textured fruit and a fresh finish. [91% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 14%]. Drink 2024-2046 Tasted 1/12/21. 95+

Château Nénin, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; fresh black fruits – plums and black cherry and blackcurrant notes; this is cool and fresh with lots of energy and drive. Has been such a renaissance here under the Delon ownership. [75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% alc]. Drink now-2040. Tasted 1/12/21 94+

Château Trotanoy, Pomerol, 2016

Deep; colour tight to rim; satiny black fruits with some savoury elements; cool palate which is well structured and shows no excesses [despite the heady alcohol stats]. Has freshness and grip on the end. Lovely Trotanoy – has so many layers of flavour. [95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 15% alc.]. Drink now-2046. Tasted 1/12/21. 97+