La Petite Eglise, Pomerol, 2021
Always one of the best value Pomerols, Petite Eglise 2021 captures the intensity of the vintage perfectly with its notes of just ripe plum, sweet earth, damsons and kirsch. Packed with bittersweet fruit and minerals, this possesses a real sense of energy and wonderful purity. A really seductive and cohesive Pomerol. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
critic reviews
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, La Petite Eglise 2021 is deep garnet-purple in color. It is a little closed to start, soon unfurling to offer glimpses at kirsch, fresh plums, and boysenberries, further opening out to accents of aniseed and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly crafted, with a fine-grained texture and lively acidity supporting the red berry and earthy flavors, finishing on a mineral note.
Excellent quality, with crayon, cloves, saffran and graphite notes, deliciously finessed, and another wine that has improved over ageing. The 2016 plantings by the church plot near the chateau are used for the first time in this 2021 vintage, split betwen Petite Eglise and L'Eglise Clinet (massal from 1935 vines).
The 2021 La Petite Eglise has come out of its shell on the nose during its barrel-aging, now more expressive with finely delineated scents of blackberry, iris flower, gravel and truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and moderate weight, very harmonious and showing more cohesion on the finish than it did out of barrel. Closing with satisfying length, this is a very capable Pomerol.
Unwinding in the glass with aromas of spices plums, currants, licorice and toasty oak, the 2021 La Petite Eglise is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a fleshy core of fruit that's framed by chalky, youthfully structuring tannins. It's one second wine that will require a bit of patience.