CHATEAU LA VIOLETTE

This estate produces some of the most exciting wine in Pomerol from a tiny 1.6-hectare, 100% old vine Merlot parcel. Located not far from Château Trotanoy on the top of the Pomerol plateau, La Violette has always had great terroir, but its wines were quite ordinary prior to 2006, when it was purchased by Château Le Gay owner, Catherine Péré-Vergé.

The soil at La Violette is a complex mix of clay and limestone with gravel and iron deposits that run deep into the subsoil. Vineyard management is sustainable and labour intensive, with harvests taking place berry by berry over several pickings, and all the fruit sorted and destemmed by hand.

Along with its intoxicatingly exotic opulence, one of the key characteristics of the wine is the haunting smell of violets. This wine is quite hard to find, with its small production of around 3000 bottles.