2009 Château La Violette

The 2009 La Violette has quite a high-toned and yet at the same time, slight earthy bouquet that feels fresh and lively, more black fruit than its Pomerol peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, quite savory with touches of dried blood and tobacco/bayleaf on the finish. The late Catherine Père-Vergé oversaw a very fine La Violette this year. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

Tasted blind. Smells just like a Margaux! Or do I mean a Ch du Tertre with its light biscuity oakiness? Fresh and lively. This would go down a storm in a Margaux flight. It’s lots of fun: fragrant and sweet without being richly opulent. (JR)

Bright ruby. Expressive aromas of cassis, dark plum, mocha, cinnamon and violet. Sweet, broad and pliant but also light on its feet, with intense, delineated flavors of dark berries, violet and spicy oak. The ultra-smooth, practically weightless finish offers lingering notes of flowers, spices and minerals. Great wine--and completely different from the astringent, overextracted monster I recall tasting at the Primeurs .