Pomerol
The smallest of the great red wine districts of Bordeaux, Pomerol (paum-ma-rawl) produces some of the most expensive, exhilarating and glamorous wines in the world. Yet Pomerol, whose wines are in such demand, is the only major appellation of Bordeaux never to have had its wines formally placed in a rigid hierarchy of quality. At the time of the 1855 Classification, it was known how wonderful some of the wines were on the Right Bank, but because travel across the Gironde to Libourne was so difficult, they were ignored.
The prices that the wines of Pomerol fetch are strictly based on reputation and quality. Although the higher-end reds are capable of aging for decades, most of the reds of Pomerol are made for immediate consumption, requiring very little aging. These Merlot-based wines are known for their lush texture, elegance and grace as well as the softer tannins they offer in comparison to the Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines of the Médoc.
Grape Varieties: Mostly Merlot, blended with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and sometimes tiny quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Taste Characteristics: Style–Elegant to highly concentrated, medium to full-bodied. Opulent and voluptuous red and dark fruit flavors, dominated by the soft, plummy, lush character of the Merlot grape. Most tend to be ready to drink before their more structured, Cabernet Sauvignon based neighbors on the left bank.
Key Facts: Bordeaux’s smallest great wine district. Producing some of the most sought after and expensive wine of Bordeaux, with the famous Pétrus setting the pace. This district has never been officially classified.
Acres Under Vine: 1,939
Classified Growths: None, region has never been officially classified.
Key Properties: Pétrus, La Conseillante, Rouget, La Cabanne, Haut-Maillet, de Sales.
Principal Soil Types: Gravel with clay and iron prevails in those vineyards on the plateau of Pomerol. A sandy gravel mix can be found in those vineyards that border Lalande de Pomerol.
