CHATEAU NENIN Pomerol 2020 Bottle

Description

Château Nenin is a large property by Pomerol standards and one which has long been a favourite of the British Royal Family. Nenin was owned by the Despujol family until 1997 when it was bought by Jean-Hubert and Michel Delon, the proprietors of Château Léoville-Las-Cases. Michel Rolland has been retained as a consultant and the wines are now cleaner and displaying more depth of fruit than before.

Nenin is located just outside the village of Catusseau and consists of a handsome, 19th century château and a 25 hectare vineyard set in a large park. The vineyard is south-west facing and located on a high plateau, where the soils are a mixture of deep gravels and sand.

Nenin is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are machine-harvested and then fermented in temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. The wine is then matured in oak casks (50% new) for 18 months.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 - 96+
Drink Date: 2025 - 2048
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 20th May 2021
"A blend of 68% Merlot (harvested 8th to 16th September) and 32% Cabernet Franc (harvested 21st to 23rd September), the 2020 Nenin is aging in French oak barriques, 40% new. It has an alcohol of 14%, a pH of 3.65 and an IPT (tannin index) of 76. Deep purple-black in color, it glides effortlessly out of the glass with wonderfully pure notes of crushed blueberries, fresh blackberries and ripe red and black plums, plus suggestions of lavender, star anise and Ceylon tea with a waft of cast-iron pan. The medium-bodied palate is fantastically elegant and beautifully poised, featuring exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the perfumed red and black fruit layers, finishing long and mineral laced. A real head-turner!"

JAMES SUCKLING 97-98 Points
13 May, 2021 – "This is from only the old vines in the clay and gravel soils on the plateau. Really fantastic. It’s medium-to full-bodied and the tannins just roll off the palate at the end. Dark fruit and spices. So long. One of the best modern wines from here? 68% merlot and 32% cabernet franc."

DECANTER 93 points
Tasted by Jane Anson
"The classic Nenin pencil lead here - you get an intellectual approach to Pomerol at Nenin, with an opening of graphite and liquorice root, but it widens out to show fleshier style of ripe raspberry and black cherry. The tannins give a bite on the finish, and this is one I suggest leaving for a good six to eight years before drinking. 40% new oak, 3.65pH, IPT76. Harvest from September 8th to 23rd. A very good quality Nenin. From 8ha, really focusing only on the heart of the plateau. 40% new oak. Now using 5% amphoras for the Cabernet Franc, which has maybe given this touch of reduction. Drinking Window 2026 - 2040."

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points
Drink: 2027 - 2040
68% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.
"Deep colour. Purer and more lifted than Fugue with graphite and dark-fruit notes. Juicy and textured on the palate, the fruit plush and the tannins velvety and fine-grained. More sensual and Pomerol-esque than in the past."