Château La Violette 2008
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 2008 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 96-98
All that has changed as evidenced by the profound 2008. This flowery, flamboyant, complex Pomerol exhibits incredible sweetness, an inky/ruby/purple color, and a sensational, full-bodied, velvety, lush texture (crammed with blue and black fruits) that caresses the palate with a delicacy as well as the incredible substance of a world-class dancer. The sweetness of the tannin, beautiful precision and purity, nuanced character from good acids, and incredibly low yields have resulted in an other-worldly, sublime wine that clearly merits its name. This 2008 Pomerol will be drinkable in 3-4 years, and should evolve for three decades.
Ian D'Agata - Vinous
Point Score: 92-94
Ruby-red. Violet aromas intermingle with pomegranate and sweet licorice notes. Lovely minerally, pure red fruit flavors are framed by fine acidity and polished tannins. A very pure and seamless wine with a finish that lasts for minutes. No excesses here, just a simply excellent wine with near-perfect balance. In a tasting of the three vintages of La Violette made thus far by new owner Catherine Pere-Verge (working with consulting winemaker Michel Rolland), the 08 is the best of the three. In fact, this is one of the top half dozen wines of 2008-no great surprise to insiders who know that La Violette's vineyards are extremely well placed, and that outstanding wines, albeit in a different style, were already being made back in the 80s by the previous owner.
Wine Spectator
Point Score: 90
This is ripe and filled in, with plum sauce, warm currant paste and cherry preserve flavors all wrapped together and carried by the plush, velvety finish. There's a modern kiss of toast on the back end. Nicely done. Drink now through 2015. 291 cases made.