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Bordeaux 2019: Lalande de Pomerol

Written by JW. Posted in Bordeaux

Clearly a brilliant set of wines have been made in Lalande de Pomerol in 2019. There was real consistency shown amongst the wines sent by members of the Grand Cercle. It makes for a great double act with the 2018s tasted last year. They are high in extract and flavour and alcohol but they maintain good balance. Château Grand Ormeau had gorgeous aromatics with lots of seductive ripe black fruit on display. Château Maine Chaigneau Cuvée JS was creamy and sophisticated with real delicacy. Château Tournefeuille was also positive and full, alongside an unctous Château St Jean de Gué. Château La Sergue also impressed with lots of spicy, briary fruit. Château La Fleur de Boüard and Le Plus de la Fleur de Boüard were tasted earlier in June. Both are super impressive in 2019.

The following wines were tasted in June based on barrel samples sent to London for tasting.

Château La Fleur de Boüard, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Deeply coloured; dark at centre; glossy; bright and jolly Merlot on the nose; perfume; juicy; stylish and vibrant aromatically; lovely fresh black cherry notes; little liquorice; lovely sweet entry; fruit and texture is quite delicious – I love this ‘regular’ bottling; more savoury tones on the palate [14% Cabernets]; structure too; but this is very nicely judged and has super finesse; at the top of the Lalande de Pomerol tree for me. Lovely finish with fine texture to the tannins. Espresso notes on the finish. [33ha, 85% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot] Tasted 5/6/20. Drink 2023-2035. 91-92+

Château Grand Ormeau, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Super concentrated looking; colour tight to rim; legs; gorgeous aromatics; black fruit; pain grillé; seductive; lots of ripe pure fruit here; juicy, summer fruit compote; some tar; sweet ripe entry; structure beneath the fruit and some oak influence; plenty of fresh fruit on the palate overall; displays black cherry notes and some mocha tones; has life and some zap on the finish. Opened up terrifically an hour after opening, displaying opulent fruit and ripe, textured tannins. This is succulent Bordeaux. Tasted June 2020. Drink 2024-2032. 90-92+

Château Maine Chaigneau Cuvée JS, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Mid depth; though colour still tight at the rim; little more savoury but creamy too; sophisticated and classy; very enticing plummy aromatics; has delicacy on the nose; ripe fruit entry; sweet plums; quite sexy; really lovely mid palate; beautiful fruit; works a treat; some punctuation later; with some black chocolate on the finish. This wine delivers lovely purity. There is evident structure enveloped by sweet, ripe plummy fruit. Fine tannins on the finish. [Merlot 100%, 15% alc). Tasted June 2020. Drink 2024-2034. 91-93+

Le Plus de la Fleur de Boüard, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Deeper still than the regular La Fleur; fraction more purple at the edge; deeper aromatics; powerful; layers here; substantial wine [as ever] fruit is beautiful; little more tar and liquorice notes; creamy black cherry notes open up on aeration; some spice from the oak though this all feels soaked up by the fruit; feels integrated [thinking that these wines are now two months on from when I’d normally taste them so perhaps this is why they feel more complete than usual]; powerful palate; lovely fruit; really caressing; loads of it; not in the slightest bit over extracted but this has fab depth; nicely integrated; this is epic Le Plus for me; has nice tightness on the finish which adds a note of [comparative] restraint and the story comes together. Super length. I really ‘get’ Le Plus this year. [2ha, 100% Merlot]. Tasted 5/6/20. Drink 2025-2040. 94-95+

Château St Jean de Gué, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Mid depth; quite unctuous on the nose; some violet lift; little undergrowth and pain grillé; ripe red fruits and strawberry; textured palate; more strawberry and red fruits and some undergrowth; bitter chocolate on the finish. This wine also opens up well. More chunky in the middle than Grand Ormeau or Maine Chaigneau; feels a little extracted on the palate but the fruit is there and this will settle to be a very satisfying glass of Lalande de Pomerol I reckon. [Vineyard 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon]. Tasted June 2020. Drink 2024-2032. 88-90

Château La Sergue, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Mid depth; sweet ripe plums and satin fruit; some chocolate; spicy briary notes too; some undergrowth; nice warm fruit; very good; sweet entry on the palate; nicely judged; not a block buster but has delicacy and elegance; soft finish with satin tannins. This is medium weight Lalande de Pomerol and works well. [Vineyard 85% Merlot, 3% Malbec & 12% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted June 2020. Drink 2024-2032. 89-91+

Château Tournefeuille, Lalande de Pomerol, 2019

Mid depth; quite dark at the centre; some black cherry but a little reticent to start with; opened up wonderfully later; the fresh plum and black cherry; nice briary and brambly qualities; feels sappier; almost a little mineral in comparison to some in 2019; lovely palate and really opens up well; fresh and positive; I like this and it will age well; freshest here in fact; another lovely Lalande de Pomerol in the making. [Vineyard 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc]. Tasted June 2020. Drink 2024-20336. 90-92+

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