Château La Violette, Pomerol
    Château La Violette

    Château La Violette, Pomerol,

    Destination

    Château La Violette, Pomerol, 2014

    Justerini & Brooks Tasting note
    Château La Violette, Pomerol, 2014

    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.

    Maturity:
    Keep/Drink
    ABV:
    13.5%
    91/100
    Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
    La Violette 2018 has a deep garnet purple color. It offers faint leathery/gamey/earthy wafts to start, leading to warm plums and blackberry preserves at the core, with hints of crushed rocks and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is laden with densely packed with dried berries and earthy flavors, supported by chewy tannins, finishing a touch firm.
    Date Reviewed:
    02/2023
    Drinking Window:
    2026 - 2040
    94+/100
    Neal Martin, Vinous
    The 2018 La Violette is a Pomerol that felt tight when I tasted it from barrel, and now in bottle, there is still something uncharacteristically reserved. However, that does not disguise the wonderful raspberry and wild strawberry fruit that gradually unfolds. Lo and behold, after 12 hours, this is singing. The palate is very well balanced with slightly tarry black fruit and a fine bead of acidity. Quite taut and linear but with good weight and palpable mineralité on the finish. La Violette has gained more intellect and complexity in recent vintages and though I do not believe this is the greatest ever produced, it is a superb wine for the vintage that may merit a higher score with bottle age.
    Date Reviewed:
    03/2021
    Drinking Window:
    2023 - 2045

    specifications

    country:
    France
    region:
    Bordeaux
    Appellation:
    Pomerol
    Producer:
    Château La Violette
    style:
    Red Wine
    Grape Variety:
    Merlot Cabernet Franc
    Allergen Information:
    This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.