There were only six wines from Pomerol in 2019 on tasting at the MW Institute’s annual Bordeaux tasting last year. Their collective quality made up for the lack of numbers. Château l’Evangile was sublime. It has wonderfully pure plummy Merlot tones and wonderful freshness. Château Clinet is as seductive as ever. It has deep, layered aromatics and a caressing palate which also retains freshness. Château Petit Village was also very impressive with fabulously glossy qualities and plenty of depth and poise. Château Vray Croix de Gay was inky and textured and reminiscent of Château Gazin [not on show]. Château Beauregard also looked good at the more affordable end of the Pomerol price ladder. Sadly the Moueix properties weren’t on show this year [Château Hosanna, Château Trotanoy or Château La Fleur-Pétrus], though they have been in past tastings.

The following notes were taken at the MW Institute’s Annual Bordeaux tasting in late October, 2023 at Vintner’s Hall in London. I hope you find the notes useful.

Château Beauregard, Pomerol, 2019

Deep colour and tight to edge; lovely plummy fruit on the nose; very enticing; really like this Pomerol which is seriously on the up; caressing palate; lovely sweet and ripe fruit but also has freshness. Satisfying. [70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alc]. Tasted Oct ’23. Drink now-2039. 93+

Château Clinet, Pomerol, 2019

Deep and saturated colour; tight to rim; deep intense aromatics with layers of black fruits and ripe plum notes; really caressing on the palate; with softness but also structure supporting it. Has both intensity and lushness. Inky and intense on the finish. Great stuff. This is the definition of hedonistic Pomerol. [80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% alc]. Tasted Oct ’23. Drink 2024-2049. 98+

Domaine de L’Eglise, Pomerol, 2019

Deep and dark; chalky and chocolate on the nose; some plum and spices; easy if a bit loose in the mid palate. This is open and soft Pomerol which is ready to go. Some texture on the finish. [97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 15% alc]. Tasted Oct ’23. Drink 2024-2035. 90

Château l’Evangile, Pomerol, 2019

Deep and saturated but healthy looking; tight to rim; black fruits on the nose and very seductive indeed; creamy plummy tones which are super attractive; freshness too; very enticing on the palate with lovely balance; satin palate with loys of caressing soft, elegant fruit. Has length and intensity on the finish. Another ’19 beauty! [83% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.6% alc]. Tasted Oct ’23. Drink 2024-2049. 98+

Château Petit Village, Pomerol, 2019

Deep and dark; fresh, plummy black fruits leap from the glass; wonderfully open on the palate; black fruits and plums with some wet rock elements; very caressing. This is another beauty. [80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% alc]. Tasted Oct ’23. Drink 2024-2042. 96+

Château Vray Croix de Gay, Pomerol, 2019

Deep and saturated; summer fruit compote, blackcurrant crumble and lots of ripe plums; has texture on the palate and freshness on the palate; reminiscent of Gazin [not shown at this tasting]. Inky and complete on the finish. Length too. Excellent. [90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% alc]. Tasted Oct ’23. Drink 2024-2042. 95+