La Petite Eglise, Pomerol 2023

A gorgeous second wine from this brilliant family estate, the 2023 La Petite Eglise is based on 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was aged in 82% new French oak. Ripe black cherries, melted licorice, graphite, smoked tobacco, and hints of truffly earth all shine on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a round, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It has an almost salty quality on the finish and is a pleasure to drink today yet will evolve nicely over the coming two decades. Drink 2026-2046.

A firm and racy red with blackberry, black olive, and orange peel. Just a hint of salt. Medium to full body. Tight center-palate with lovely tannins and a savory finish. Fresh and balanced at the end. Crunchy. Open. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc.

The 2023 La Petite Eglise is a terrific second wine, if that term can even be used. Strong floral and citrus accents weave through a core of incisive red-toned fruit. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, cedar and pipe tobacco emerge with a bit of coaxing. I would give this a few years in bottle, as there is a lot of matière here, as the French like to say.

So delicious, a seriously impressive wine combining juicy spiced plum and damson fruits, bitter black chocolate and espresso, serious and reserved, with the creamy texture of Pomerol fruits emerging after a few minutes in the glass. Noëmie Durantou winemaker. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield.

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, La Petite Eglise 2023 has a deep garnet-purple color. It pops from the glass with scents of juicy black plums, fresh mulberries, and Morello cherries, leading to fragrant suggestions of violets and charcoal, with a touch of black truffles. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet, with bright berry layers and a firm, fine-grained texture, finishing earthy.

The 2023 La Petite Église has a fragrant bouquet with mainly red berry fruit, wild hedgerow and a light marine scent, understated yet well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. Impressive harmony and silky texture, a fine bead of acidity, you instantly fall for the purity of fruit in the Deuxième Vin from Noëmie Durantou. It fans out stylishly on the finish, completing a very able La Petite Église.

As usual, the 2023 La Petite Eglise is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that checks in at 14.4% alcohol. Wafting from the glass with aromas of plums and cherries mingled with notes of dark chocolate and truffle, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and succulent, with a rich core of fruit, sweet tannins and good depth at the core, concluding with a broad, oak-inflected finish.