Petit Village 2011

A front end-loaded, richly fruity effort, the 2011 Petit Village exhibits notes of black cherry jam, plum sauce, earth and background oak. This pretty, medium-bodied, silky-textured wine possesses above average concentration and character. Enjoy it over the next 10-12 years.

Tasted en primeur at the UGC and at Pichon Baron. A blend of 19% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the Petit Village has a sweet ripe nose of black cherries, raspberry and a touch of blood orange. It is sweet and pretty. The palate is medium-bodied with dense, quite robust tannins on the entry. Full in the mouth, it is missing a little elegance but it is full of stuffing and has a lot of grip on the finish. Tasted April 2012.

Lots of black chocolate and black berry character. Full body, with a solid core of fruit and velvety tannins. Very well done. Delicious. This has a little more Cabernet Franc than normal with 23% and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest in Merlot.

Axa Millesimes, the owners of Pichon Baron, have invested greatly in this well situated Pomerol property. The quality level is much improved of late. This is a fine and solid Pomerol with impressive depth for the vintage. Good, deep, ripe fruit. A good effort.

The nose is packed with powerful rich ripe fruits all very black fruited. The palate has richness and depth but towards the back there is a fresher feel black cherry and bilberry and this gives a lighter feel on the finish.

As it often does, Petit Village has produced one of the firmest wines in Pomerol,partly because of its terroir, but also because of the presence of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. This has plenty of grip and structure, but it's underpinned by plenty of plush plum, blackcurrant and chocolate flavours. Needs time. 12+ years.

Serious wine that builds on the palate. Fragrant floral, violet notes. Firm, long and structured, offering greater depth and consistency than in the past.