Wine Advisor
La Violette 2011
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Description
Violette, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, Still, Red, 2013
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The late Madame Pere-Verge owned this little jewel of a property. The stunning 2011 exhibits a beautiful deep ruby/purple color as well as lots of floral notes, and a broad textured opulence that is atypical for the vintage. Fruity and rich, this successful, medium to full-bodied 2011 does not quite match the quality of the 2008, 2009 or 2010, but it is another brilliant effort from La Violette. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Le Gay. The La Violette was picked on 21st and 22nd September at 27hl/ha and matured in Saury barrels. It has a typically very rounded, almost voluptuous bouquet with an attractive brine/oyster shell accent that is very attractive. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a decent core of blackberry and blueberry fruit with a firm, almost obdurate finish that suggests it will need 4-5 years at least in bottle. Much more controlled than the 2009 and 2010, and in my opinion, all the better for it. Tasted April 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Copious aromas of kirsch, raspberry and black currant fruit are followed by a silky, opulent wine with ripe tannin as well as tremendous fruit intensity. The remarkable thing about La Violette is that once you have tasted a few vintages, you will never forget this wine. It is reminiscent of a hypothetical blend of nearby Lafleur and the grand cru Burgundy, Musigny. This 2011 should drink well young, but last 15 or more years. It’s a shame so little of this wine is made by proprietress Madame Pere-Verge. One of the most singular and intriguing wines of Bordeaux, smelling the 2011’s extraordinary bouquet is akin to walking into a parfumerie.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
Medium-deep ruby-red. Pure aromas of cassis and minerals, with complicating notes of mocha, mint and licorice. Bright, suave and densely packed, showing very good energy and intensity to the flavors of cassis, graphite and fresh violet. The long, perfumed finish features a flavor of crushed blackberry and a whiplash of harmonious acidity. Another wine in the stable of Catherine Peré-Vergé that seems much less extracted than usual and reminiscent of the excellent 2008 made here.
About the Producer
Although Chateau La Violette dates back to the late 1800’s when it began to earn a reputation for its wines. In those formative years, the property was owned by a cooper, who made wine barrels for other estates, Ulysse Belivier. It is only quite recent that Chateau La Violette has produced some of the best wines in all of Pomerol. Purchased in 2005 from Frederic Dumas, Chateau La Violette made its debut for the new owner, Catherine Pere-Verge with the 2006 vintage. The small 1.8-hectare vineyard of La Violette is now fully planted to 100% Merlot. At one point in time, there were also Cabernet Franc vines planted, but those vines have been removed and replaced with Merlot. The vineyard has some very old Merlot vines that are close to 75 years of age. The tiny production makes this one of the harder wines to find in Pomerol! The terroir at La Violette is a complex mix of clay and limestone with gravel and iron deposits that run deep into the soil. The vineyard consists of 4 plots in two main parcels. Those 4 main plots are further divided into 20 smaller parcels. The best terroir is placed between Le Pin and Trotanoy. Those vines are the heart and soul of La Violette. The second parcel, which is close to Feytit Clinet is not on the plateau and thus, those vines are placed in Chateau Montviel, one of their other estates. The vines are planted to a density of 5,500 vines per hectare for the old vines. The young vines are planted at a much higher density of 7,700 vines per hectare. At Chateau La Violette, vineyard management requires three days a week be spent manicuring each individual bunch, removing any green or pink berries from around the “wings” to ensure a perfectly uniform ripening of the grapes. At its best, Chateau La Violette is filled with countless layers of dense, rich, opulent dark berry, floral and chocolate tones. The palate enjoys a bath of pure velvet and satin. This is a very sensuous style of Pomerol that marries opulence with the concentration and purity of fruit. One of the key characteristics of this Bordeaux wine is the haunting smell of violets.
2002(1)2005(2)2006(2)2007(6)2008(10)2010(4)
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