2014 - La Violette, Pomerol

The 2014 La Violette has a typical nose for this estate, very polished with almost identical scents to four years ago: blackberry and raspberry, touches of bay and cloves. It doesn't appear to have matured greatly in the interim. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, harmonious and refined. La Violette is not often equated with elegance, but this does have precisely that on the finish, even if it doesn't fully possess the complexity I originally envisaged. Hence, I am inclined to shorten my drinking window here, yet it remains a delicious Pomerol to enjoy over the next 20 years. A second bottle tasting blind was much more Bretty and was marked down, hence the question mark against my score.

Floral iris and peony notes on the first nose, quickly opening to a focus on spice, both white and black pepper, along with salted cracker, tobacco, truffle, saffran. At a good moment to drink, with a fresh acidity on the finish that suggests this may evolve fairly quickly from this point. 65% new oak. Pere Verge owner.

Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 La Violette opens with iodine and leathery scents leading to a vague core of dried cherries and prunes plus a hint of fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is chewy and rustic with a lifted finish.