2006 Montviel (Pomerol)

Tasted at the château, the 2006 Montviel is matured on the nose with degraded red cherry and kirsch aromas, moving into secondary aromas territory with touches of singed leather and undergrowth aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, fully matured but still offering pleasure with touches of sour cherry, white pepper and garrigue-like notes on the finish. Considering this is already ten-years-old, this deserves a round of applause. Tasted April 2016.

Intense sweet smoky fruit laced with liquorice and mocha. Very inviting. Bags of savoury spice. Beautifully balanced freshness – elegant almost lacy tannins even at this adolescent age. Fresh, long and elegant and already almost approachable. (JH)