2020 Château La Violette

The 2020 La Violette has a high-toned nose with a heavy veneer of new oak. It is attractive in its own way, though it lacks a bit of personality. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy, very ripe entry. Sweet, plush and heady, it boasts confit -like red fruit and lower acidity than its peers—enjoyable in and of itself but lacking the same intellect. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Violets and lilacs were on full display in the opening notes of the aromatic profile before moving on to all of its spice, espresso, dark red pit fruits, wet earth and chocolate nuances. The best part of the experience however, is on the supple-textured palate with its waves of black and dark red fruits, creamy, lush tannins and long, rich, chocolate-tinted finish. With its tiny production, if you are a fan of La Violette, you will need to jump on it quickly, as very little wine was made. Drink from 2027-2050.

A solid step up over the Le Gay, the 2020 Château La Violette reveals a vivid purple hue to go with a jaw-droppingly good bouquet of pure black cherry and cassis-like fruits supported by complex notions of iron, violets, loamy earth, and smoked tobacco. Full-bodied on the palate, it's not massive yet is flawlessly balanced, has a layered, elegant, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. An incredible example of richness paired with elegance, this gorgeous Pomerol deserves just 3-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for upwards of 30 years if well stored. It's an incredible wine.