2010 La Violette, Pomerol (Pre-Arrival)
SKU #1067027
100
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
(2/ 2013)
94
points
Wine Spectator
Sports lush, heady fig, boysenberry and plum jam aromas and flavors, with a creamy mouthfeel and lots of licorice, fruitcake and ganache notes showing on the finish. Not shy and plenty dense, but retains a velvety feel and solid focus. For fans of the flashier style. Best from 2014 through 2030.
(3/ 2013)
92-93
points
James Suckling
The plummy almost jammy character is enticing, with a mineral and stoney undertone. Full and velvety. Generous. Better than 2009.
(4/ 2011)
90-93
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Inky-ruby. Very pure, ripe blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose, with hints of fresh violet, minerals and cured tobacco. The sweet dark berry and candied black cherry flavors display impressive depth and lingering minerality, but the building, palate-coating tannins are tough going today. Finishes with excellent persistence, but this wine left me scrambling for something to eat. Best today on the profound, perfumed nose, this is a very impressive, serious wine. But as with other wines from Catherine Pere-Verge's stable this year (witness Le Gay and Montviel), I found it a little too extracted for my taste, although considerably less so than those two. I am normally a huge fan of La Violette, which is often one of the purest and daintiest expressions of Pomerol (certainly, its terroir is arguably among the very best of the appellation), so it may well be that all the 2010 needs is time in the bottle to resolve its fierce tannic shroud. In that case, my score will look ungenerous.
(6/ 2011)
K&L Notes
Only 200 cases made. 100% Merlot. This is Le Gay's big brother.
