Château Nénin Fugue de Nénin 2023

Fugue de Nénin is the second wine of Château Nénin, a historic estate in the Pomerol appellation on the right bank of Bordeaux, owned since 1997 by Jean-Hubert Delon of Château Léoville Las Cases. It is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot grown on Pomerol's clay and gravel soils, with a band of iron-rich clay underneath that lends the Merlot its depth and texture. The maritime climate gives a long, even ripening season, and the Merlot ripens earlier and more reliably here than the Cabernet of the left bank, giving a softer, rounder style. The wine is aged for 18 months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannins, fixes the colour and adds gentle spice and structure while keeping the fruit fresh. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe cherry, raspberry and plum with cocoa, a touch of vanilla and an earthy, herbal edge. The palate is medium to full bodied and supple, with fine smooth tannins, fresh acidity and a savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits roast beef, lamb, duck and mushroom dishes.