Chateau Enclos Tourmaline, Pomerol 2018

Wow. The purity of fruit in this wine is stupendous with crushed raspberries and blackberries. Full-bodied, very layered and gorgeous with superbly fine yet forceful tannins and a driven finish. A triumph. Pure-merlot magic here.

From a miniscule one-hectare parcel right across from Clinet, on the upper plateau of Pomerol, the 2018 Enclos Tourmaline is a blockbuster in the making, and I suspect it’s going to give the 2016 a run for its money. Checking in as a 100% Merlot raised in new oak, which hit 14.7% natural alcohol, this inky color blockbuster boasts a massive bouquet of black fruits, smoke herbs, chocolate, and damp earth. It shows a more floral edge with time in the glass and it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and plush on the palate, with sweet tannins. It’s certainly one of the sexiest wines in this terrific vintage. Hats off to vineyard manager and winemaker Jérôme Aguirre as well as consultant Michel Rolland for another brilliant wine in the making. Tasted twice.

The 2018 Enclos Tourmaline turned out beautiful. Expressive floral and spice accents give the 2018 striking aromatic presence to match its mid-weight feel. Sweet red cherry, cedar, tobacco, crushed flowers and mint all open over time. Opulent and silky, with terrific balance, Enclos Tourmaline is impeccably done. Drink it over the next decade or so.

The 2018 Enclos Tourmaline comes from the lieu-dit Clinet, close to La Fleur-Pétrus and Trotanoy. It is made of 100% Merlot from vines averaging 25 years old planted in blue clay, and yields were 37 hectoliters per hectare. The wine fermented in 100% new oak and is anticipated to age for about 20 months. With 14.7% alcohol and a very deep purple-black color, it opens with pronounced baked black plums, black cherry compote and Christmas cake scents giving way to opulent Chinese five spice, potpourri and powdered cinnamon scents with a waft of dusty soil. Full-bodied and densely packed with muscular black fruits and firm, fine-grained tannins, it has just enough freshness and a spicy finish.

The 2018 Enclos Tourmaline, matured in 100% new oak for 15 months, is very harmonious on the nose, offering blackberry and blueberry, sage and dry tobacco, and coming across more herbal compared to its stablemate, La Patache. The palate is well balanced, smooth and sensual, with fine tannins, well-judged acidity and a composed and tender finish. This is a sublime Pomerol, one that may warrant a higher score in the future. If it were a singer, it would Bryan Ferry in his mid-70s Lothario years.