La Petite Eglise, Pomerol,

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 is made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aging in 60% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock notes of fresh black plums, juicy blackberries, and Bing cherries, plus hints of licorice, dried Provence herbs, and Ceylon tea. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating, crunchy black fruits and great tension, with a grainy texture and long savory finish.

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.