Chateau Plince Pomerol 2015

Château Plince is a well regarded estate in the eastern part of the Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, positioned just south of the famed Pomerol plateau and neighbouring some of the region’s most prestigious properties. While it does not sit on the elevated gravel rich plateau celebrated by estates such as Château Pétrus and Château Le Pin, Plince’s vineyards are planted on slightly lower ground with deeper, iron rich clay and sandy soils that combine excellent drainage with the ability to retain warmth and ripeness. The property is owned by the Moreau family, with four generations of winemaking history that emphasise tradition, balance and purity of fruit. The vineyard covers approximately 8.66 hectares planted primarily to Merlot with Cabernet Franc and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, and is farmed sustainably with careful canopy work, though it is not formally certified organic or biodynamic. The 2015 vintage in Bordeaux was notable for its warm, dry growing season, which produced ripe, concentrated fruit with refined tannins and balanced acidity, resulting in expressive, ageworthy Pomerol wines.

Château Plince Pomerol 2015 is crafted in a classic Right Bank Bordeaux style, with hand harvested grapes fermented in thermo regulated concrete vats, including a pre fermentation maceration, followed by a slow 1-2 weeks of fermentation and then post fermentation skin contact. A pre-fermentation soak (cold maceration) extracts delicate aromas and colour, while a post-fermentation maceration softens tannins and builds depth, creating a wine with richer texture and more integrated structure. The wine is then aged for 12-18 months in French oak barrels, about one third of which are new, allowing the fruit, tannin and oak to harmonise. In the glass it shows a medium to deep garnet colour with aromas of blackberry, cassis, spice and subtle oak, leading to a balanced palate with ripe fruit, refined tannins and a savoury finish. It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, braised beef, duck and mature cheeses. The 2015 is drinking well now but can continue to evolve with careful cellaring over the next 8-12 years.