2016 Enclos Tourmaline

The 2016 Château Enclos Tourmaline is a monster of a wine that comes from a tiny one-hectare parcel located just across the road from Clinet. The wine is 100% Merlot brought up all in new oak (it hit 14.5% natural alcohol). It’s a magical effort that offers a saturated purple color to go with notes of blueberries, blackberry liqueur, graphite, and crushed rocks. Still tight and compact on the palate, it has flawless integration of its fruit, tannins, and acidity, full-bodied richness, lots of ripe tannins, and a huge finish. This brilliant wine should be at its peak from 2024 to 2054. It’s worth pointing out that the vineyard manager and winemaker is the talented Jérôme Aguirre who gets consulting advice from Michel Rolland. Bravo to both individuals for this awesome wine.

The 2016 Enclos Tourmaline, from vines opposite the original winery at Clinet, has a pure, perfumed bouquet of black cherries, blueberry and truffle aromas that retain impressive delineation. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, very fine acidity and a surprisingly elegant, almost languorous finish that I find appealing. This is a superb Pomerol that will give 20 years of drinking pleasure.

This has very fresh, lively and attractive wet earth and hints of black truffle and violets. The palate has a very deep, plush and velvety texture with a very fresh and fluid tannin structure, carrying long and fresh. The tannins build on the palate. Blue fruit abounds here, full of pleasure and promise. Try from 2023.