La Violette 10 vintage Assortment and Humidor Mixed Vintage

*2015* - 96+ points
The 2015 La Violette is medium to deep garnet-purple with fragrant scents of potpourri, dried lavender, bouquet garni and cigar boxes over a core of warm plums, blueberry compote and cassis plus a waft of underbrush. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth and packed with black fruit and spice layers, it's framed with a firm yet velvety structure and oodles of freshness, finishing long. 2020 - 2042

*2014* - 93 points
The 2014 La Violette has a powerful bouquet that is slightly gamey like its sibling Le Gay: plenty of red and black fruit infused with clove, crushed violets and singed leather. Maybe this is less glossy than previous vintages of La Violette that tends to be extremely polished. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins. There is a fine bead of acidity and the texture is unashamedly silky smooth; plush with cassis, blueberry and raspberry coulis flourishing on the typically sumptuous finish. This is very seductive: a Pomerol with panache. It should drink well for 15-20 years. This is gorgeous. 2019 - 2035

*2013* - 91 points
The 2013 La Violette has a perfumed bouquet with candied orange peel infusing the red berry fruit, a touch of confectionary shop here, nicely defined and gaining intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with tannin, sappy red berry fruit, a hint of spice, nice cohesion as its leads into what for La Violette is a relatively lean finish, but it retains lovely balance and joie de vivre. Drink this now and over the next decade. 2016 - 2028

*2012*- 97 points
A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 La Violette has a very floral, blueberry and raspberry nose, inky purple color, exceptional texture, full-bodied richness and stunning purity, symmetry and palate presence. This is, possibly, the wine of the year. Unfortunately, there is so little of it available and it is virtually impossible to find. The vineyard is only 4.4 acres, the yields tiny, and usually the final blend includes at least 80% Merlot. Drink it over the next 20 years. 2015 - 2035

*2011* - 93 points
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. 2014 - 2029

*2010* - 100 points
Sadly, there's not a whole lot of production to this microscopic estate in Pomerol, but the name says it all. The awesome aromatics include not only raspberries, black cherries, and blackberry, but also the floral perfume of an haute couture house. Its terrific aromatics are followed by a wine with quintessential elegance married to almost unbridled density of fruit, all presented in a flawless and seamless concoction of full-bodied power, elegance and purity. This is a riveting wine and certainly one of the great classics to ever be produced by this tiny estate. Kudos to proprietress Catherine Pere-Verge. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.

*2009* - 98 points
Wow, did I underrate this wine from cask. I thought it was outstanding, but this wine is one of the superstars of the vintage. An extraordinarily provocative, exotic nose of a florist shop intermixed with raspberry and blueberry liqueur soars from the glass of this very aromatic/fragrant wine. Dense purple in color, with silky tannins, a full-bodied mouthfeel, great nobility and palate penetration, this is a sensational, compelling Pomerol to drink over the next 20-25 years. 2012 - 2037

*2008* - 95 points
Fashioned from yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare with 13.5% natural alcohol, the opaque ruby-hued 2008 exhibits tell-tale floral notes intertwined with raspberries, sweet black cherries, licorice and cassis. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and strikingly pure as well as multilayered, the 2008, despite its precociousness, will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 20-25 years. It is one of the top successes of the vintage. 2013 - 2028

*2007* - 91 points
The first vintage from new proprietor Catherine Pere Verge, the 2007 La Violette is a 100% Merlot made from yields of 20 hectoliters per hectare. Aromas of violets, blueberries, raspberries, and lavender emerge from this perfumed wine. It is not the biggest Pomerol in 2007 (Clinet and Le Gay qualify for that prize), but it is ethereal in its finesse, purity, intensity, and layered mouthfeel. Luscious and delicate with admirable intensity, this beauty comes from a very special terroir. Sadly, production is so tiny, few consumers will ever get a chance to taste it. The 2007 should drink well for 10-15 years. 2010 - 2025

*2006* - 90 points
Tasted at the château, the 2006 La Violette was the maiden vintage from the late Catherine Père-Vergé. It has a slightly more youthful bouquet than the 2006 Le Gay, although in some ways it is less interesting. That said, there are enjoyable leather and Morrocan spice aromas to be enjoyed. It just feels a tad static in comparison. The palate is medium-bodied with candied fruit on the entry, notes of licorice and melted tar. Interestingly, the bottle shown at Farr Vintners' blind tasting performed better than the one at the property (and incidentally, instantly nailed as La Violette thanks to its plumpness and polished sheen.) This demonstrated more complexity on the nose with a light marine influence. I would drink this over the next decade. Tasted April 2016. 2016 - 2021