Bourgneuf

Owned by the Vayron family since 1821, this lovely vineyard is situated in the heart of Pomerol’s most prestigious terroirs, with Château Trotanoy as its neighbor. Since 2008, the wine is made by the youngest Vayron to join the family venture, Frédérique, the daughter of current owners Xavier and Dominique. Situated in one of the warmest parts of Pomerol, Château Bourgneuf produces wines that are deep and dense, layered and complex, with perfectly rounded tannins.

2019

Wine Advocate 90+: A little shy out of the gates, the 2019 Bourgneuf offers up rich aromas of dark berry fruit, asphalt, loamy soil and new oak. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and lively, with powdery tannins and good length on the finish, it will require a bit of patience.

James Suckling 93: Rich nose of blueberries, dark plums, walnuts and chili chocolate. It’s full-bodied with firm, plush tannins. Compact, rich and dense. Powerful Pomerol. Try in 2026.

Vinous 93: The 2019 Bourgneuf is another gorgeous wine from the Vayron family. Classy and polished from the very first taste, Bourgneuf has all the creaminess and texture it did en primeur, but with a bit more energy and tension backing it all up. In recent years, Bourgneuf seems to have a touch more volume, but it remains a wonderfully understated, classy Pomerol. Hints of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, new leather and cinnamon linger.

Decanter 95: Excellent clarity and linearity here, this is direct and precise with a focus all the way through. A core of cool, fresh and mint-licked red fruit is joined by coffee bean and liquorice touches, going from start to finish gliding across the palate supported by firm but well-integrated tannins. Tense, hefty and complex, but also completely captivating.

2020

James Suckling 96: Blue fruits with intense violets and some black olives on the nose. Full-bodied with polished tannins that melt into the wine. Super finish. So fine. Gorgeous. Best after 2027.

Vinous 92-94: Bourgneuf has been on a roll for a number of vintages. The 2020 is another terrific showing from the Vayron family. A spine of fine tannins gives the 2020 its drive and overall sense of proportion. Black cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, chocolate and spice all open in the glass. The 2020 is a serious, rather somber Bourgneuf that is going to need at least a few years to be at its best.

Falstaff 91-93: Low-dark ruby garnet, opaque core, purple hues, delicate ocher edge lightening. Fine nuances of nougat and cardamom, a hint of precious wood, black cherries, delicate after liquorice and fresh orange nest. Complex, juicy, sweet blackberry fruit, strong tannins, mineral in the finish, chocolatey in the reverberation, a fine-diced food companion.