Château La Violette 2006
Review of the Estate
La Violette is the true jewel in the Pere-Verge Pomerol crown! Producing one of the appellation's most sought-after wines. With production being a tiny average of just 250 cases a year, this is unfortunately an ultra-rare wine. Chateau La Violette produces one of the most exciting wines made in the Pomerol today.
The small 1.8 hectare vineyard of La Violette is now fully planted to 100% Merlot. At one point in time, there were also Cabernet Franc vines planted, but those vines have been removed and replaced with Merlot.
The vineyard has some very old Merlot vines that are close to 75 years of age. The tiny production makes this one of the harder wines to find in Pomerol! The terroir at La Violette is a complex mix of clay and limestone with gravel and iron deposits that run deep into the soil.
The vineyard consists of 4 plots in two main parcels. Those 4 main plots are further divided into 20 smaller parcels. The best terroir is placed between Le Pin and Trotanoy. Those vines are the heart and soul of La Violette.
The second parcel, which is close to Feytit Clinet is not on the plateau and thus, those vines are placed in Chateau Montviel, one of their other estates. The vines are planted to a density of 5,500 vines per hectare for the old vines. The young vines are planted at a much higher density of 7,700 vines per hectare.
At Chateau La Violette, vineyard management requires three days a week be spent manicuring each individual bunch, removing any green or pink berries from around the "wings" to ensure a perfectly uniform ripening of the grapes.
Aside from serious sorting of the grapes, all the berries are destemmed by hand. Harvest's are conducted in several pickings. The yields are low. For example, in 2009, it was a microscopic 20 hectoliters per hectare! 2012 Chateau La Violette was made from even lower yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare!
To produce the wine of Chateau La Violette, after harvest and intense sorting, the berries are hand destemmed by up to 60 workers. Next, the whole berry fruit undergoes cold maceration for close to 20 days before fermentation in 100% new, French oak barrels from Saury using the micro vinification process. Malolactic fermentation is performed in the barrel.
On average, the production of La Violette is close to a scarce 250 cases per year, making Chateau La Violette one of the harder to find, and more expensive Pomerol wines.
Vineyard
Surface area: 4.5 acres
Grape Varieties: 100% Merlot
Average age of vines: 60 years
Density of plantation: Old Vines 5,500 young vines 7,700 vines per hectare
Average yields: 20 hectolitres per hectare
Average cases produced: 250 per year
Plateau of maturity: 10-35 years
Château La Violette 2006 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 92-94
One of the big stories in 2006 is the resurrection of this once very good Pomerol estate now that it has been purchased by Catherine Pere-Verge, who has done so much to raise the level of quality at Chateau Le Gay. From a vineyard well-situated between Le Pin and Trotanoy, La Violette's 2006 is a 100% Merlot cuvee that is running on all cylinders. Considering some of the great old vintages from the fifties and sixties, it is not surprising to find beautiful purity, fine tannins, and loads of sweet raspberry, black cherry, licorice, and earth notes in this medium-bodied, opulent, luscious effort. It should drink well for 15-20+ years. A brilliant effort!
Stephen Tanzer - Vinous
Point Score: 89-92
Medium red-ruby. Utterly captivating aromas of red fruits and iron complicated by an exotic white fruit note that reminded me of viognier. Suave and silky but not at all overly sweet, with a lovely subtle perfumed character in the mouth. Very complex and distinctive 100%-merlot wine in an elegant style. Finishes long and perfumed. This property, located between Le Pin and Trotanoy, was recently purchased by Catherine Pere-Verge, owner of Le Gay. The fruit was destemmed by hand, and the must went directly into barrel for fermentation, with Michel Rolland responsible for the winemaking.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 90
Tasted at the chateau, the 2006 La Violette was the maiden vintage from the late Catherine Pere-Verge. It has a slightly more youthful bouquet than the 2006 Le Gay, although in some ways it is less interesting. That said, there are enjoyable leather and Morrocan spice aromas to be enjoyed. It just feels a tad static in comparison. The palate is medium-bodied with candied fruit on the entry, notes of licorice and melted tar. Interestingly, the bottle shown at Farr Vintners blind tasting performed better than the one at the property (and incidentally, instantly nailed as La Violette thanks to its plumpness and polished sheen.) This demonstrated more complexity on the nose with a light marine influence. I would drink this over the next decade.