Château La Violette, Pomerol,

Henri Parent explained that 2014 was the first vintage to be micro-vinified in their very impressive new cellar. Wine-maker, Marcello Pelleriti now has 470 barrels instead of the 12 large vats he used to work with. This enables much more precise vinifications. Produced from a tiny 1.6 hectare plot of Merlot close to VCC and le Pin. The wine will be aged for 15 months in 100% new Saury barrels. Violette is not what some might assume. Yes it is the darling of Robert Parker and it holds a micro cuvee status, but this is far from garagiste - there is something very real and mineral here, a serious, saline, understated wine that will reward those with patience. Initially starry and polished with some heady perfumed notes of cedar intertwined with decadent Merlot fruits. This is less open than Le Gay and more mineral with a real sense of tension. We were impressed by the clarity and intensity here and the discrete length of flavour. This could be very impressive.