Pomerol and St. Emilion are the two premier Bordeaux appellations on the other (right) side of the rivers from the city of Bordeaux and the glamour appellations of the Medoc; hence the term, "Right Bank."
The wines are quite different from those in the Medoc; the weather and soil vary significantly, and the primary grapes used in the region are the softer merlot and cabernet franc varieties, as opposed to the firm and tannic cabernet sauvignon of the Medoc. This makes for wines that are often much more attractive in youth--perhaps the reason why modern consumers have made the premier wines from these appellations some of the most coveted and sought-after in all of Bordeaux. However, this doesn't mean these wines lack the ability to age.
Pomerol, the only Bordeaux appellation to generally have a majority of merlot, is typically soft and lush, with a tremendous intensity of fruit concentration. The region itself and most of the estates therein are tiny; hence, the wines are in limited quantity and tend to be quite expensive.
Winery: Château Pétrus Wine: Pomerol 2001 Score: 95 Collectibles Price: $590
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Mar 31, 2004
Enticing aromas of coffee, dark chocolate and hints of berries. Full-bodied,
with well-integrated tannins and a medium finish. Refined and inviting
to taste now, but much better with age. Best after 2007. 2,000 cases made.
(JS)Winery: Château Pétrus
Wine: Pomerol 2000
Score: 98
Price: $1800
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Mar 31, 2003 Fabulous aromas of crushed berries, black olives,
flint and grilled meat. Yet it's subtle. Full-bodied, with superbly refined
tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Superb. Racy. Exciting. Best
after 2012. (JS)
Winery: Château Latour à Pomerol Wine: Pomerol 2003 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Jun 30, 2004
Blackberry, cherries and tobacco on the nose. Hints of black licorice.
Full-bodied and chewy, with very good ripe tannins and a persistent finish.
Almost 92-94. Score range: 89-91 (JS)Winery: Château
Latour à Pomerol Wine: Pomerol 2002 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Web Only (2003)
Very clean and fresh, with a mineral, plum and berry character. Medium-
to full-bodied, with refined and caressing tannins and good length. Refined.
Score range: 89-91 (JS)Winery: Château Latour à
Pomerol Wine: Pomerol 2001 Score: 91 Price: $100
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Mar 31, 2004
Gorgeous aromas of blackberries, spices and lightly toasted oak. Full-bodied,
with silky tannins and a lovely long finish. The silky texture is beautiful.
This is much better than from barrel. Beautiful now. Best after 2008.
3,165 cases made. (JS) Winery: Château
Latour à Pomerol Wine: Pomerol 2000 Score: 95 Price: $65
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Mar 31, 2003
A wine with a reserved, yet complex nose of blackberries, raspberries
and flowers. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a soft, sweet fruit finish.
A beautiful wine to taste. Hard not to drink this. Best I have had in
years. The real thing. Better than the 1998. Best after 2010. 3,200 cases
made. (JS)
Winery: Château Mazeris Wine: Canon-Fronsac 2002 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Web Only (2003)
Fresh aromas, with a berry, cherry and wet earth character. Medium-bodied,
with firm tannins and a slightly short finish. Score range: 80-84 (JS)Winery:
Château Mazeris Wine: Canon-Fronsac 2000 Score: 84 Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Web Only (2003)
A bit tart, but some good berry and mineral character. Medium- to light-bodied,
with a delicate finish. Drink now through 2006. (JS)
Winery: Château Siaurac Wine: Lalande-de-Pomerol 2002 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Web Only (2003)
Dried cherry, with citron aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with firm
tannins and a clean finish. A bit austere. Score range: 85-88 (JS)
Winery: Château Bélair
Wine: St.-Emilion 2003 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Jun 30, 2004
Aromas of flowers, berries and currants on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied,
with a solid core of ripe fruit and a long finish. Ripe yet refined. Well
done for Bélair. Almost 92-94. Score range: 89-91 (JS)Winery:
Château Bélair Wine: St.-Emilion 2002 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Web Only (2003)
Bright cherry and mineral aromas. Full- to medium-bodied, with a solid
core of fruit and a fine, silky finish. Nicely done. Score range: 89-91
(JS)
Winery: Château Plince Wine: Pomerol 2002 Score: Barrel Tasting Barrel Tasting Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Web Only (2003)
Big nose of toasty oak, with medium ripe berry fruit. Medium- to full-bodied,
with an almost raisiny character. Long finish. Impressive. Score range:
89-91 (JS)Winery: Château Plince Wine: Pomerol 2000 Score: 92 Price: $40
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Mar 31, 2003
Impressive aromas of bright berry, with exotic fruit and hints of cocoa.
Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, long rich finish. It
goes on and on. So rich it's hard not to drink it now. Should be good
value for a Pomerol. Best after 2009. 3,455 cases made. (JS)
