Château Bourgneuf Pomerol 2015

Owned by the Vayron family since 1821, this lovely vineyard is situated in the heart of Pomerol’s most prestigious terroirs, with Château Trotanoy as its neighbor. Since 2008, the wine is made by the youngest Vayron to join the family venture, Frédérique, the daughter of current owners Xavier and Dominique. Formed by a gentle, sloping plot, the west-facing vineyard enjoys ideal sun exposure, thanks to which some of its parcels were spared from the great frost of 1956. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines, of an average age of 40 years, are planted on gravelly clay enhanced by an iron-rich subsoil. The vineyard is maintained traditionally and conscientiously throughout the year. Vinification takes place in thermo regulated concrete tanks, and aging is carried out in oak barrels (35% new) for 12-14 months. Situated in one of the warmest parts of Pomerol, Château Bourgneuf produces wines that are deep and dense, layered and complex, with perfectly rounded tannins. The wine’s ripe fruit aromas make it seductive when young, but a few years of cellaring are strongly rewarded.

Tasting Notes
Nose of ripe red fruit with slightly toasted evident oak. Very concentrated, powerful, warm palate marked by oak tannins.

Varietals
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc

Reviews

James Suckling – “Impressive fresh violets and earthy notes with ripe dark plums. Leads to a very rich palate with ripe dark cherries, mulberries and boysenberries. Smooth tannins exude suave polish, and there’s terrific fleshy appeal into the finish. All class. Try from 2022.” (95 Pts)

Decanter – “Again maintaining the success that this estate showed en primeur, and reflecting the positive changes made at the property under a new generation led by Frederic Vayron. Well integrated tannins, with blackberry fruit which feels suspended as it tightropes through the palate. This should age well.” (93 Pts)

Wine Spectator – “Dark and saturated with fig flavors, showing extra boysenberry and black currant compote notes. Ganache and tobacco accents fill in the finish, giving this a slightly gutsy profile. Should mellow with cellaring, as the fruit is hedonistic. Best from 2020 through 2030.” (92 Pts)

Wine & Spirits – “Frédérique Vayron makes this wine at her family’s estate in the center of Pomerol, under their ownership since 1821. It’s a warm, west-facing slope of gravelly clay, where merlot ripened to succulent sweetness in 2015, firmed up by 15 percent cabernet franc. The fruit touches on pretty notes of raspberry and red plum, along with savory mushroom notes in the tannins. It’s the kind of texturally rich merlot that heads directly for the pleasure centers of the brain.” (92 Pts)