Merlot in seventh heaven: These two Bordeaux regions are world-class

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

There are no magnificent Bordeaux castles to be seen anywhere in Pomerol, which covers 800 hectares on the right bank of the Dordogne. The vast majority of wineries externally resemble modest farms and are therefore fundamentally different from the magnificent buildings of the Médoc region. Pomerol wines don’t need to show off or show off anyway; They prefer their inner values ​​to speak for them.

The Merlot grape variety accounts for approximately 80 percent of all plantings in Pomerol, followed by Cabernet Franc. The depth of barren soils rarely exceeds one meter, which can lead to dehydration of vines in particularly dry seasons such as 2003 or 2016. The subsoil bears the French name crasse de fer, meaning iron-rich clay.

Châteaux Petrus, Le Pin and Lafleur are at the top of Pomerol’s quality pyramid, but due to their astronomically high prices they are reserved only for a particularly wealthy public. L’Église-Clinet and Vieux Château Some are similarly high quality, but at slightly lower prices. You should definitely check out the much cheaper Châteaux Gazin, Rouget, Nenin and Clinet.

Velvety tannins are a trademark only of red Pomerol wines. They are typically supported by plum notes and light woody aromas such as clove and vanilla. Although most Pomerol wines today are enjoyed young, many can be kept in the bottle for decades. Additional maturation time often results in more complex and supple wines that are unrivaled anywhere in the world.

The two names Saint-Émilion and Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, with a cultivated area of ​​approximately 5,400 hectares, are approximately seven times larger than Pomerol. Here too, only red wine is produced, although the composition of the grapes is slightly different. Merlot still plays the leading role at 60 percent, but Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon make up the other 40 percent.

Saint-Émilion is also visually different from Pomerol: elegant Bordeaux castles and Romanesque churches adorn the area. The town of Saint-Émilion and its surrounding vineyards have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Saint-Émilion wine varieties range from simple and fruity wines to extremely complex ones. In the latter case, the advantages of the wines lie in balance and attention to detail.

An exciting feature of the region is its own classification system, which is revised every ten years. Wineries are evaluated based on various criteria such as region, production methods, and commercial and marketing aspects. However, such classification is highly controversial and has led, among other things, to the departure of leading wineries such as Château Cheval Blanc, Ausone and Angélus from the official classification.

In addition to the three wineries mentioned, which are no longer classified, two Châteaux Figeac and Pavie hold the highest-ranking Premier Grand Cru Classé “A” status. Twelve other wineries carry the Premier Grand Cru Classé label, while 71 Saint-Émilion wineries can use the Grand Cru Classé designation. You should check out Châteaux Canon-La-Gaffelière, La Gaffelière, Beau-Séjour Bécot and the price-performance champion Château Pierre.

Source : Blick