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Chateau La Grave à Pomerol

Sadly the early history of many Pomerol estates is lacking, this being perhaps a reflection on the status this region held in centuries gone by. There are few grand chateaux here, this being an appellation dominated by a more introverted style of architecture, more functional than elegant, and although viticulture has long been a feature of the Libournais landscape it is only in the last century or so that the wines have attracted the attention that they undoubtedly deserve. Even as recently as the 19th century the region (including both Pomerol and St Emilion) was summarily ignored by merchants drawing up the 1855 classification, and no doubt it was seen as a source of 'country wines' for peasants rather than 'connoisseurs'. Today of course Pomerol would top any league table based on price (with Le Pin and Petrus way out in front) which was of course the very basis for that drawn up in 1855.

La Grave à Pomerol provides us with yet another example of Pomerol's hazy history. During the 19th century it was in the hands of a gentleman named Trigant de Boisset, and he left his mark - as many do - by appending his name to that of the property. It remained La Grave Trigant de Boisset until the mid-1990s when, having been acquired by the Moueix family in 1971, it was refashioned as La Grave à Pomerol, although if one takes a look at the current label (as shown, right) the reference to Trigant de Boisset can still be seen. Today the estate has been part of the Moueix portfolio for more than three decades, and it is marketed alongside their more famous labels including Petrus, Trotanoy and Latour à Pomerol.

The estate, which comes complete with its own parkland, is located in the north-western section of the Pomerol appellation, close to the neighbouring vineyards of Lalande-de-Pomerol and distant from the most typical Pomerol terroirs. The soil here is - as the name suggests - largely gravelly, mixed with sand. There are a little less than 8 hectares of vineyard planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the average age of the vines being in excess of 20 years. The vines see a green harvest and de-leafing as the growing season progresses, and the eventual harvest is naturally by hand, with fermentation in temperature-controlled concrete vats, nothing out of the ordinary for Pomerol. Once completed the wine goes into oak for 20 months, with judicious use of new barrels, typically 25%. The end result is the grand vin, La Grave à Pomerol, and there is also a second wine - which is more likely to take the fruit from the more sandy soils - named Domaine Trigant de Boisset. Altogether the production amounts to about 3000 cases.

La Grave à Pomerol was one my earlier experiences with Pomerol, with both the 1982 and 1989 vintages giving appropriate pleasure. Then more recently, I have encountered a couple of vintages when tasting the primeurs, with the 2008 being clearly superior to the 2007, not a revelatory finding by a long shot. (20/1/10)

Contact details:
Address: 54, quai du Priourat, 33502 Libourne
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 57 51 78 96
Fax: +33 (0) 5 57 51 79 79
Internet: www.moueix.com

Chateau La Grave à Pomerol - Tasting Notes

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Chateau La Grave à Pomerol (Pomerol) 2009: A Mouiex wine. A dark and glossy wine. Crunchy fruit, forest, berries. Plums too. A good creamy substance on the palate, very nicely composed, fleshy. Soft and supple tannins, very forward. Not the structure of the greater wines, but very accessible with it. There are some nice gritty elements to the fruit and it does have some good grip. Freshness here, and good drinking too I suspect. From my 2009 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 16.5-17.5+/20 (March 2010)

Chateau La Grave à Pomerol (Pomerol) 2008: This is the property once named La Grave Trigant de Boisset after a previous owner, which I have tasted in older vintages. In this vintage it has less expressive character, with some red and leafy fruit. The palate is well polished, stony, with a fresh, lightly perfumed middle. Gentle, reserved, balanced, but with slightly hard tannins which give a firm grip beneath and through to the finish. Very good potential though. From my 2008 Bordeaux primeur assessment. 17-18+/20 (April 2009)

Chateau La Grave à Pomerol (Pomerol) 2007: An expressive nose here, ripe and creamy fruit, with more impact than some wines. Attractively styled, nicely composed, this has a gentle, round, complete nature. Prominent tannic structure, firm, good acidity, but finishing straight and sappy. Overall rather appealing. From my 2007 Bordeaux en primeur assessment. 15-16+/20 (April 2008)

Chateau La Grave Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) 1989: Mineral tinged fruit, smoky and toasty oak on the nose, with even some spicy fruitcake notes. Delicious black cherry fruit on he palate, with a firm underlying structure. Lovely ripe, very slightly hard tannins, and soft acidity. This is delicious, full, sweet and rounded. From a Pomerol tasting. 17/20 (May 2002)

Chateau La Grave Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) 1982: A slightly stewed note to the fruit here, although its not off-putting. Nice, creamy texture on the palate, rich but with a firm edge. Smoky fruit with that stewed, pruney edge. Nevertheless, it has correct acidity and delightful balance. Lovely finish. From a Pomerol tasting. 17/20 (May 2002)

Chateau La Grave Trigant de Boisset (Pomerol) 1982: A rich and slightly tawny wine. Nose is somewhat stinky - but there is also gravelly fruit and smoky, mineral notes. The palate has lovely weight, with spicy red fruit, smoke and soft tannins. A rich, creamy finish, and good length. From a tasting of mature Pomerol. 17/20 (June 2000)