2018, Château Plince, AOC POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Blended of 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Plince offers up notions of espresso, cedar chest, menthol and tar over a core of preserved plums and baked blackberries with a waft of bouquet garni. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with black fruit preserves and savory layers, framed by grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long with a minerally lift. 91+ Lisa-Perrotti Brown, Wine Advocate (April 2021)

The 2018 Plince is a powerful, rather four-square Pomerol. Even so, there is good depth and plenty of richness. Perhaps élevage can soften some of the more angular contours that are present. Today, the oak is not perfectly balanced (not unusual at this stage), but there is more than enough depth to make me cautiously optimistic that this dark, rather brooding Pomerol might find a bit better balance in time. 88-91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2019)

Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033