2018 Château Plince, Pomerol

Made from 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Plince opens with cedar, unsmoked cigars and smoked meats suggestions giving way to baked plums, blackberry pie and black raspberries plus wafts of Ceylon tea, hoisin and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has wonderful richness and depth with loads of exotic spice and savory layers contained in a beautifully plush texture, finishing long.

This is enjoyable, very Pomerol with a nice lift, though less structured than some in the Moueix line up. It has strong liquorice flavours, with dark chocolate and grilled rosemary – it’s gourmet, but with restraint and juice though the dark cassis and blackberry fruits. Another wine where you feel there is an accessibility relatively young without sacrificing the ageing ability.

A wine with lovely depth of fruit and ripeness, yet always refined and integrated with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and a long and satisfying finish. Could be best ever.

The 2018 Plince is a powerful, rather four-square Pomerol. Even so, there is good depth and plenty of richness. Perhaps élevage can soften some of the more angular contours that are present. Today, the oak is not perfectly balanced (not unusual at this stage), but there is more than enough depth to make me cautiously optimistic that this dark, rather brooding Pomerol might find a bit better balance in time.