| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
This Chateau is situated between L'Eglise Clinet and Le Gay. Already organic, it is in the process of becoming bio-dynamic. The Labruyère family from Burgundy are the owners here and aim to produce a charming and silky-textured Pomerol. the 18 hectares are planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.
The 2017 Rouget has a high toned black cherry, cassis and iodine scented bouquet that suggests a later picking than its peers. This has a very "modern" Pomerol nose. The palate is rich and powerful on the entry, grippy with dense tannins, a Rouget eager to make an impression, though it is lacking some finesse and nuance on the finish. Drink 2022-2032.
Yum. Wonderful aromas of crushed berries, wet earth, sweet tobacco and fresh leather. Full body. Very tight, pinpointed palate with depth and length, too. The precision and balance is exceptional here. Try after 2023, but already a beauty.
The 2017 Rouget is very deep purple-black in color with a nose of preserved plums, blueberry compote and mocha with suggestions of wood smoke and beef drippings. Medium-bodied, quite firm and chewy in the mouth, it has just enough black fruit preserves flavors and a grippy finish.
This has depth and juiciness, making it an enjoyable, bright, if a little austere Pomerol. Tasted twice, and both times it showed well, with slightly backwards tannins that need time in the glass to unfurl. They use a touch of whole-cluster fermentation at Rouget, which may be adding to this early tightness, but there is a lovely freshness alongside a sense of juicy bramble fruits. A small section of the vineyard was affected by frost, meaning there is no second wine, Carillon de Rouget, this year. The rest of the grapes were brought in between 20-29 September, with harvesters going through each plot several times to pick the fruit when ripe.
Drinking Window 2024 - 2035
Black with purple rim. Very ripe damson aroma. But the tannins are thick and dry so the whole seems pretty tough. Chewy, uncompromising. May come round.
Drink 2023-2029
Deep ruby in the glass, there is a smoky, dense bramble fruit concentration on the nose here that is both ripe and savoury thanks to notes of nutmeg and black pepper. The palate is powerful yet generous due to the refined nature of the tannins. This is quite muscular Pomerol, but the fruit core is dense and seductive, with forest fruits and creamy vanilla from the oak. This is luscious for the vintage, with flesh that amply covers the structure and leaves a seamless, juicy finish. A great success in 2017.
Mainly black plums the nose has sweet fruit the start of the palate fleshy. There is underlying freshness lighter at the back with sweet fruit coming through on the finish. 2024-35
Rather confected and juicy on the palate, there is a vegetal note here which is a little too off-putting and this is present on the nose and the palate but this is as a result of the whole bunch and it will relax into the wine somewhat. The oak is a little too raw at the moment and I hope that this softens, too.
The 2017 Rouget has a perfumed bouquet with opulent red and black fruit with a touch of crushed violets developing in the glass. Recent vintages have felt a little excessive but this 2017 demonstrates more control and refinement. The palate is medium-bodied with good structured, a lick of chocolate upon those red and black fruit and maybe just a touch of wood tannin towards the finish that will need to be absorbed by the end of its barrel maturation. This might turn out to be a fine Rouget but it will require a prudent élevage. Drink 2021-2038.
This is really pretty with a whole berry character to it with berry, chocolate and wet earth character. Medium body, round tannins yet subtle and fine. Impressive.
