[Tasted during WSET Diploma – Unit 3 – Week 3: Bordeaux]

Pomerol and Saint-Émilion are the two famous appellations on the right bank of Bordeaux. Pomerol is the softer and the less drier appellation of the two, not to say that it’s necessarily sweeter, but perhaps just riper and broader in its fruit. Merlot rather than Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme on the right bank: this particular blend is 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc.

My palate was going at this point, as the 7th wine of our fight of 8, but there was a subtle nose of dried red fruit, dried black fruit, plum, a hints of leather and graceful herbaceous notes. There was a bit of opulent “plum jam”, according to the instructor, along with a soft texture and silky tannins. What perhaps seemed a little disjointed was the juicy tannin for such a ripe year and evolved wine, but it’s possible my palate was fried.

The wine is perhaps peaking, especially because right bank wines generally mature quicker than do the wines of the left bank, though to me the acidity tells me that it can keep some freshness.

I mean, if one of your descriptors is going to be “plum jam”, you might as well pair this with something similar, but a Mariah Carey Christmas song just doesn’t seem right, and it’s Halloween this weekend, so let’s do something related.

Tasting Note:

Eyes: clear, med garnet, legs
Nose: clean, med+ intensity, developing, hint pyrazine, mineral, earth, dark fruit, plum, hint leather, dried red fruit, oak, currant, cigar box
Mouth: dry, med+ body, high acid, med+ ripe tannin, med+ flavour intensity, med+ alcohol, plums, earth, mineral, dark fruit, long finish, leather
All in all: Very good quality: most notable for this wine is the prolonged finish. Balanced is the structure and texture of the wine; complexity and intensity are undeniably above average but not outstanding. Drink now, not suitable for ageing or further ageing.
Identity Guess: Premium right-bank Bordeaux from France; 6 years old.
Is really: Premium Pomerol from bordeaux, France; 9 years old.

Producer: Château La Cabanne
Designation: N/A
Region: France
Sub-Region: Bordeaux
Variety: Merlot (92%), Cabernet Franc (8%)
ABV: 13.5%
Vintage: 2005
Tasted: October 27, 2014
Price: $80