There was a time when Pomerol was an insider’s wine, a poor country cousin to the superstar Lafites, Margaux and Moutons of the left bank. Today, of course, when Pomerols like Petrus and Le Pin cost many thousands of dollars a bottle, that day feels long past.
And yet Pomerol is still somehow a region full of insider wines. It’s a rare big-name appellation that still has many small, family-owned producers—none of whom are more exciting than Château Bourgneuf.
Bourgneuf has a small holding right next to the much better known (and pricey) Château Trotanoy. Their patchwork of terroirs includes a mix of Pomerol’s famous clays, including a parcel with lots of iron deposits (which can give violet and even truffle notes to the wine) that abuts Trotanoy’s vines. They also have a gravel-rich parcel and some sandy sites. This mix of terroirs makes for complex wines with richness as well as fine elegance.
Bourgneuf is run by two generations of women, dedicated to conscientious (vine-by-vine) hand farming, minimal-interventionist winemaking, patience, and a thousand small (but right) choices.
Professional Reviews
Robert Parker
RP
93
"Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Bourgneuf sashays out of the glass with expressive notes of crushed black cherries, boysenberries and prunes, plus wafts of melted chocolate, Indian spices and cedar chest, with a hint of cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of spicy/peppery black fruit preserves, framed by ripe, rounded tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and earthy." -Robert Parker
Decanter
D
94
"Inky plum colour, clear coffee grounds on the attack but this is also full of Pomerol richness, bitter chocolate shavings and damson plum fruit. You are definitely in a concentrated, knitted-down style here with plenty of muscle that delivers appellation signature. Tasted twice. Harvest September 14 to 25."
Wine Spectator
WS
91
"Friendly and open up front, with kirsch, plum gelée and blackberry mixed with wood spice, dark tobacco and savory notes, which add a chunky feel to the finish. Shows good energy, though, and is an admirable effort in the vintage. Merlot and Cabernet Franc."
Wine Enthusiast
WE
95
"The 22-acre vineyard is now producing some very fine wines. This latest vintage shows power as well as the luxury of ripe black Merlot. With richness assured, the wine's structure guarantees aging."