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La Violette 2010

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

Sadly, there's not a whole lot of production to this microscopic estate in Pomerol, but the name says it all. The awesome aromatics include not only raspberries, black cherries, and blackberry, but also the floral perfume of an haute couture house. Its terrific aromatics are followed by a wine with quintessential elegance married to almost unbridled density of fruit, all presented in a flawless and seamless concoction of full-bodied power, elegance and purity. This is a riveting wine and certainly one of the great classics to ever be produced by this tiny estate. Kudos to proprietress Catherine Pere-Verge. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.

100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

The plummy almost jammy character is enticing, with a mineral and stoney undertone. Full and velvety. Generous. Better than 2009

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011

Made of 100% Merlot, the deep garnet colored 2010 La Violette comes bounding out of the glass with notes of kirsch, black raspberries, baked cherries and mulberries plus wafts of stewed tea, cedar chest and dried Provence herbs. Full-bodied, the palate is still carrying a lot of oak with youthful black and red berry preserves layers and a chewy texture, finishing very long and spritely. 2020 - 2045

97+
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

Rich in constitution but natural and elegant as well. Considerable depth of fruit, fine tannins and texture, freshness on the finish. Superior to '09. Drink 2018-2035.

18
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

2010: This tiny jewel of a property consists of five acres planted with 100% Merlot (over 50 years of age) in clay, limestone and gravelly soils, situated between Le Pin and Trotanoy. Made from yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare, the 2010, surprisingly, possesses only 13.5% alcohol (some of its neighbors hit 14.5-15%). As its name suggests, the hallmark of La Violette is its striking floral character. In many ways it is a more flowery version of La Conseillante, which comes from the gravelly soils on the St.-Emilion border. This offering's dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of flowers, raspberries and kirsch. With sweet tannins, a full-bodied richness and elegance as well as a sublime lightness, this unusual Pomerol is characterized by its quintessential finesse, elegance and flowery qualities. A remarkable wine, it can be drunk young or cellared for 15-20 years.

94/97
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasting La Violette straight after Le Gay, I have to state for the record that I prefer the latter. As is the style of La Violette, it is far more decadent on the nose with precocious ripe red fruit, a lot of glycerine and more new oak that will need bottle age to be subsumed. The palate is full-bodied with opulent ripe, dark plum, crème de cassis fruit that is almost viscous in texture. The finish is sweet and decadent although the acidity keep it in check. It is a fine Pomerol for sure, although I discern more personality and drinkability with Le Gay this year. Tasted November 2012.

93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

Tasted at Chateau Le Gay, pure Merlot of course, Catherine Pere-Verge's deluxe cuvee has a limpid purple/ruby colour. The nose is timid at first, expanding in the glass with touches of violet (quel surprise!), crème de cassis and a touch of Dorset plum and vanilla. The palate is almost mellifluous on the entry, rounded and velvety in texture with a lot of creamy new oak. Very modern in style, seductive but those tannins lend a little tension to the finish that was perhaps missing on the 2009 La Violette. Ravishing as always (although personally Le Gay is more my style.) Drink 2015- Tasted March 2011.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.