Château Bel-Air Pomerol 2018

Château Bel-Air is made in Pomerol, the smallest of Bordeaux's great appellations, on the right bank near Saint-Émilion. Pomerol has no classification system, but its reputation rests on small production Merlot of real depth. The appellation's clay rich soils, with iron bearing seams in places, suit Merlot perfectly, holding water through dry spells and giving wines a plush, generous texture rather than the firm grip of the gravel left bank. This wine is built on Merlot and ages twelve months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange rounds the tannins and adds a layer of spice and cocoa to the fruit. The 2018 vintage was warm and ripe, and it shows. Expect a deep garnet red with violet hints, a nose of baked plum, black cherry compote and blackberry, with earth, tobacco and a dusting of cocoa, and a palate that is round, supple and full, with soft tannins and a long finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour. It suits roast meats, game and earthy mushroom dishes.