Bordeaux Wine Basics - Pomerol Wine Region

Pomerol is the smallest of the famous Bordeaux wine regions, comprising an area of 3 x 4 kilometres (about 1/7 the size of St. Emilion) or about 800 hectare. The entire region only produces around 350,000 cases a year and around 150 different wineries
Wines have been produced in the Pomerol region since the 16th century but at that time, it was mostly white wines. Eventually white wine production was phased out and more red wines were produced in the region starting around the mid 1800s. At that time, Pomerol was still part of the St. Emilion region and the region was only recognized as a distinct region in 1923 and given AOC status in 1936 (when white wine production was outlawed). Consequently, almost all wines produced from Pomerol are red wines.
About 80% of vineyards in Pomerol are planted with Merlot grapes. Historically, Pomerol was dominated by the Bouchet or Cabernet Franc grape. But in 1956, frost killed large portion of Cabernet Franc vines. The government gave incentives to vineyards to replant Merlot, which are hardier than Cabernet Franc.
A 1943 comparative price list commissioned by the Vichy government listed only Pétrus, Vieux Château Certan and Château La Conseillante as commanding prices in line with at least 3rd growth wines at that time.
Prior to the 1980s, the winemaking styles of Pomerol was heavy influenced by oenologist Émile Peynaud. However his work was mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and his techniques tended to make Pomerol wines more tannic and austere compared to the style of Pomerol wines today.
Jean Pierre Moueix (Christian Moueix's father) was instrumental in the popularization of this region. He purchased Trotanoy and La Fleur Petrus in the early 1950s and then Chateau Lagrange in 1959. In 1964, he acquired a majority interest in Petrus. Now their family also owns Chateau La Grave, Latour a Pomerol and Hosanna
In the 1980's, Michel Rolland, who was born in the Pomerol region, was also very instrumental in the popularization of this region. His family owned Château Le Bon Pasteur. He delayed harvest as much as possible to give the grapes a long, extended hang time which produced over ripe grapes that packed with flavor and have higher alcohol content than traditional Bordeaux wines.
The region has continental climate and diurnal temperature variation. Pomerol producers are always concerned about rain during the harvest season, which may cause rot since the clay soils in Pomerol retain water. Very hot vintages (such as 2003 and 2009) can create over-ripe so Pomerol wines tend to fare better during cooler years (such as 2006 and 2008).
Pomerol lies on an area with the most blue clay in the world and Petrus is the winery that has the most vineyards on blue clay. This area is only about 20 hectares (50 acres) and very unique. Wineries that have blue clay soil include Château La Conseillante, Château L"Évangile, Château Lafleur, Château Gazin, Château Trotanoy,Château Clinet, Château le Gay, Château Haut Ferrand and Vieux Château Certan. Supposedly, there is a second area that contains blue clay without iron deposits that is located northwest of Chateau Petrus. Wineries with vineyards in this area include Château L'Église-Clinet, Château Trotanoy, Château Clos L'Église, Château La Cabanne and Château Nenin
A couple of corrections/clarifications:
1. I mispronounced Le Pin....I think it should be Le Pan but I got it right in my Le Pin review (upcoming)
2. In the video, I refer to Jean Pierre Moueix. Mr. Moueix passed away in 2003 so when I mention his wineries, I am talking about this family and his son, Christian Moueix

[@Rossocom]

Thanks for your videos and for your passion, I learn so much from you. I am from France and I actually learn from you much more about french wines than from a very large majority of french youtubers!

[@TrophyWineHunter]

rosso: wow such a compliment..sorry for not getting the pronunciations of the French words wrong but I am trying to improve. Thanks for your continued support. I am glad you appreciate that I have a slightly different spin than other KZbinrs...I do put a lot of my personal thoughts into the videos based on my research so some of my points are pretty novel and you won't hear on many other channels. Cheers!

[@Rossocom]

@@TrophyWineHunter no worries about prononciation, some names confuse even native french speakers (like krug for example). I really love the fact that you go in details and acknowledge that the history of great wines is directly linked to the history, perseverance, talent, hard work and audacity of incredible people and also amazing « terroirs »

[@TrophyWineHunter]

@@Rossocom thanks so much for the kind words. Cheers!

[@rickwezenaar]

The new camera is a big step up! Also, the audio is a lot better (but could be improved still by using a better dedicated microphone or field recorder such as the Rode NT-USB or the Tascam DR-40X). Thank you for your nice video's about my favorite subject !

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Rick: for some reason my Rode mic is not working anymore with my Iphone. I was using the DJpro camera but it is a lot easier to film with my Iphone so let's see what you think about current videos. Cheers!

[@isobrontchoa5111]

I’m on singapore time and I use ur videos as wind down before bed. It’s like a good bed time story about a time in the past of a place in France! Keep them coming

[@TrophyWineHunter]

isobront: thank you for viewing my video and your comments. I hope I am not that boring that I am putting you to sleep! Please like, subscribe and keep watching. Cheers!

[@Pseudopimelodidae]

I was thinking about introducing Pomerol at our local wine club so this video came out at the right time. Personally I have tried only a few Pomerol and St. Emilion Merlot wines and currently I prefer the left bank over the right but I’ll keep tasting and exploring the right bank to learn more.

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Henri: thank you for your continued support. When I think of Pomerol, I think of good acidity, earthiness, dark fruit (plums), chocolate and violets. Silky on the palate. Cheers!

[@Tobi619Nr12]

Great video! I've ordered a Pomerol by Château l'Enclos from 2015 and am really excited. I really like Bordeaux wines in general, so tasty :D

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Tony: thank you for viewing my video and your kind comment. I also really like the Pomerol/Right Bank as it is a bit softer on the palate than Left Bank wines (in general). 2015 might need a few years of aging before it hits its drinking window. Please like, subscribe and keep watching. Cheers!

[@Tobi619Nr12]

@@TrophyWineHunter Yes no problem. I am quite new into wine, so I at the moment I am at a stage of searching and trying what I like and what not. I've figured out that I like wine with a full body for example. Yeah the problem is that my celar is not completely perfect, so it has no light and also the humidity is good but the temperature is between 19 and 20°C and I think that is a bit warm for aging :/

[@TrophyWineHunter]

@@Tobi619Nr12 exciting! I have a few playlist that might interest you: one for Wine Basics, one for Wine Topic and the one for Burgundy also. Enjoy! Cheers!

[@grigorhaig]

Excellent class. Congratulations!

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Thanks so much.. a little long so hopefully not too boring. Cheers!

[@_d0ser]

Just found your channel. Great info and loved the directness. Maybe ONE DAY I'll be wealthy enough to afford even one bottle of Le Pin... maybe. 😢

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Steven: thank you for viewing my video and your kind comment. Don't worry...I was like this 25 years ago when I first started drinking...never would imagine I would be drinking Le Pin. Please like, subscribe and keep watching. Cheers!

[@danishpastry2885]

Dry informative.

[@TrophyWineHunter]

danishpastry: hopefully that is a positive comment but I agree with the assessment. Please like, subscribe and keep watching. Cheers!

[@danishpastry2885]

@@TrophyWineHunter typo…very informative, have subscribed 🍷

[@TrophyWineHunter]

@@danishpastry2885 thanks...although I admit my presentation style is pretty dry. Cheers!

[@JasonLee_JDL]

New camera res looks good!

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Thanks Jason!

[@АнастасияБородуля-ц9г]

Thanks for cool knowledge🇺🇦

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Cheers! Please like, subscribe and keep watching.

[@ivanhdz503]

great video! This is only for real wine lovers!!!

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Ivan: cheers and thanks for your continued support

[@hugosbalder6139]

There is no doubt, I am a Michel Rolland guy!!

[@TrophyWineHunter]

😁

[@kairodumba7924]

Do you think a 2015 Chateau Montviel is a good first bottle to get into pomerol?

[@TrophyWineHunter]

kairo: never tried it so can't comment. Looks like a value Pomerol so I would be skeptical. The cynic in me tells me if it is value priced and really good, it wouldn't stay value priced for long. Cheers!

[@wongjeremyyuen2226]

I just got a 2006 Chateau Latour A Pomerol at wine warehouse sale, how long should I keep it for before drinking?

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Jeremy: thank you for viewing my video and your question. I use wine searcher a lot to look at drinking windows or the wineries website. Wine searcher says drink until 2026. 2006 Right Bank is drinking very well right now with 2-3 hours aeration. Please like, subscribe and keep watching. Cheers!

[@wongjeremyyuen2226]

@@TrophyWineHunter Thanks for the quick reply, really enjoy your videos, subscribed!!

[@TrophyWineHunter]

@@wongjeremyyuen2226 Thank You! Cheers!

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

Had this exact Pomerol last summer. Wonderful, silky wine. Good now, but will last for several years.

[@Spiritchaser93]

will you be covering ST. Emilion too?

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Spiritchaser: eventually but much harder topic so I thought I would go with some easier ones first. Cheers!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Are you familiar with Gombeude Guillot …and are they value wines?

[@TrophyWineHunter]

Sanjay: never heard or drank with the wine. I just checked online and about $80 a bottle so I am guessing in the same league as Chateau Lagrange (Pomerol)? Cheers!

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

@@TrophyWineHunter I had That Lagrange Pomerol and it’s awesome wine. Thank you for researching for me.

[@TrophyWineHunter]

@@sanjaypatelmd4669 cheers!