BORDEAUX SUPPLEMENT

REDBORDEAUX

POMEROL ANDCASTILLON Pomerol is unique: there’s no formal classification here. It is a pure meritocracy, and production is tiny by comparison to the Médoc. Petrus, in a typical vintage, may produce only 4,000 cases vs Château Lafite, which will be closer to 18,000! Thus, there is a certain exclusivity attached to the region. Whilst some wines are nearly impossible to attain, there are many which bear all the hallmarks of this wonderful appellation which will bring huge pleasure on your table. Merlot is king here, giving opulence and warmth, with gorgeous, smoky elements and a luxurious feeling. Equally Cabernet Franc plays a big part in celebrated wines such as Vieux ChâteauCertan, offering balance toMerlot’s opulence, enticing aromas andwonderful complexity. This year the Cabernet franc forms an unusually high percentage of the blend bringing cool fruit - a complexity which we really enjoyed. It was remarkable. Similar to Pessac, clay/limestone terroir gave opportunities, storing water from the winter rains. The higher proportion of Merlot meant that a lot of harvesting was achieved by the end of September. The final Cabernet franc grapes were picked on 8th October. The classic freshness in 2021, with the additional Cabernet franc, really does these wines justice and some of our top picks this year are from Pomerol; such as Vieux Château Certain, La Conseillante and Eglise Clinet.

CHÂTEAULACHENADE 100%Merlot. 30% new oak. An overtly dark smoky nose here with a bit of mustiness. Some violet and mineral notes. The palate is plummy, round and fleshy. The finish is very Pomerol with that dark plummy fruit and cool mineral notes. Medium tannins which are very grippy. DRINK: 2024 - 2034 £75 - £85 / 6BOTTLES WA89-90 CHÂTEAUMONTLANDRIE 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet franc, 5% Cabernet sauvignon. 50% newoak. Sporting an intense nosewithplenty of black fruit and lots of spice, smoke and new oak. With a very nice blackcurrant core, the palate is surprisingly fleshy, with lots of violet. Here the tannin is firm and rounded. The finish is savoury with a mineral tannin grip. The violet note on the palate is really prominent, the acid is very fresh on the finish. A charming Castillon which we liked a lot. DRINK: 2026 - 2038 £85 - £100 / 6BOTTLES WA90-92

CLOSRENÉ 70%Merlot, 20%Cabernet franc, 10%Malbec. A classic Pomerol nose of black plum, chalk, smoke andmineral notes. Good concentration, and very juicy on the palate. Good typicity. The tannins are fine and grippy. The finish has a good amount of freshness and is long with dark fruit flavours culminating in a cool mineral character. Good value and classic in style. This has always beena favourite of ours and this year it plays very well to the classic vintage. DRINK: 2026 - 2038 £120 - £140 / 6BOTTLES LAPETITE EGLISE 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet franc. 60% new oak. Inky bramble fruit on the nose which is concentrated and rich. Very pure blackberry fruit here withmineral and smoke notes. Elegant and attractive the palate, hasmore generous berry fruit and some red fruit, herbs and a hint of menthol. The finish starts floral and then moves to savoury. The tannin is plushandfine, withbit of griponfinish. The freshness is here, which really lifts the floral note. Ripe and generous. DRINK: 2026 - 2038 £380 - £450 / 6BOTTLES WA89-91

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Farthinghoe Fine Wine Ltd FARTHINGHOEFINEWINE.COM