2010 Pomerol, Château Petit-Village
About Producer
Petit-Village was acquired by Fernand Ginestet in 1919. After the 1956 frost, the vineyard was replanted with excessive proportion of cabernet sauvignon, probably due to the Ginestets’ Médoc influence. When he inherited the estate in 1971, Bruno Prats conducted a large scale replanting of the 11ha vineyard with an increased proportion of merlot but was mostly busy with Cos d’Estournel to pay regular visits to Petit-Village. Axa acquired the property in 1989, making it its sole wine estate on the Right Bank. The recent sale in 2020 to the Moulin family, owners of neighbouring Château Beauregard, has moved Petit-Village from corporate ownership into family-run portfolio and has ended a century of management by Médoc-based teams.
Varietals
75% merlot, 18% cabernet franc and 7% cabernet sauvignon. 70% new oak.
About Appellation
Pomerol has 792ha of vines sitting on a diverse range of gravel, sand and clay soil types. Vines were initially planted by the Romans and further expanded in the 12th century by the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of Saint-John of Jerusalem. Devastated during the Hundred Years' War and successive wars of religion, the vineyards were eventually reconstituted in the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Knight Hospitallers set up their first Commanderie in Libourne to welcome pilgrims travelling along the Way of Saint-James to Santiago de Compostela. Home to the top properties is a small plateau of 20ha at the eastern section of the appellation described as a 'boutonnière' (buttonhole) of blue clay, known as 'molasse', sitting on top of a band of sand and gravel rich in iron oxide, known as 'crasse de fer'. Merlot is the dominant grape variety, with cabernet franc playing a supporting role.
Tasting Notes
Fragrant nose of dark berries, mocha, caramel, cedar and forest floor, smooth mouthfeel with silky texture, excellent concentration and good depth, lush flavours of ripe berry fruit, plum, fig, cinnamon and tobacco intermixed with sous-bois undertones, polished tannins and bright acidity leading onto a long, peppery finish. This is a succulent wine with wonderful balance, beautiful fruit purity and no shortage of finesse, a remarkable showing in this outstanding vintage. Great wines were produced by this estate in the ‘80s and after a perplexing record in the ‘90s, I’m thrilled by its return to form with this 2010 as the best Petit-Village for years. (01/2022)