Château Nénin 2012

Great freshness, supple, polished tannins, precision and immense freshness, perfect aromatic expression of berries and herbs; it has class.

Features a strong roasted alder frame, with a slightly burly core of ganache, espresso, crushed plum and blackberry notes. The grippy finish sports ample briar and currant paste elements. Gutsy, but everything is in place. Should gain more nuance with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2024. 3,000 cases made.

Powerful structure. Lots of fruit and freshness. Will need time.

Chewy and rich with a walnut, almond and delicate chocolate character as well as the ripe fruit. Full and very rich. Drink now.

Earth, truffle, smoke, caramel and candied cherries; this is a solid vintage for Nenin, filled with fresh, spicy cherries and soft, sweet black raspberries on the finish.

Floral and mineral with elegant wild berries, very grainy and smooth tannin, fresh with lovely fruit, rounded and opulent with a long bright freshness, very tempting and promising.

Lightening garnet of medium density, fine rim. The nose shows plenty of redcurrant and violet tones, with a delicate sweetness behind. On the palate, the primary fruit prevails, juicy; the supportive acidity gives length and still needs to integrate.

Paling garnet with medium density, fine rim. The nose shows plenty of redcurrants and violet notes, with a delicate sweetness behind. On the palate, primary fruit dominates, juicy; the well-structured acidity gives length and still needs to integrate.

(70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc) Light, floral, sweet bouquet, currants, milk chocolate, mocha. Soft, fine palate with sweet fruit, fine tannins, medium aromatics; light, slightly bitter finish. 17/20 2018 - 2028

Plenty of juicy raspberry, bilberry and blueberry fruits and liquorice root here, with pulses of minerality, showing momentum and character. The often-subdued character of young Nenin is beginning to melt away, and this is a good moment to begin drinking. Enjoyable persistency and the firm, architectural structure that makes Nenin such a standout Pomerol. pH 3.62. 35% new oak.

The persistent tannins stretch out in the most beautiful way, with plenty of energy and a superb floral and spicy finish.

In 2012, Nénin is structured and linear, fairly tannic, with good length and lovely, pure fruit.

The nose is aromatic, elegant, gourmand, racy and offers fine depth as well as a delicate gourmandise (in the background). There are notes of blueberry, crushed boysenberry and terroir (blue clay) combined with discreet hints of crushed strawberry and redcurrant, as well as subtle touches of oak, vanilla, sweet spices and cocoa, plus an imperceptible hint of pepper. The palate is fruity, balanced, silky, elegant, finely tight-knit, well-led and offers a lovely mineral backbone, fine acidity, a fine creaminess, lovely juiciness (with finesse) and fine straightness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/fleshy blueberry, boysenberry and, more slightly, wild raspberry and fleshy/juicy redcurrant, combined with fine touches of toasted oak, coffee and vanilla, as well as a subtle hint of mocha and an imperceptible hint of tea. The tannins are well handled. Fine power on the finish. Good length. Lovely persistence.

Dark, intense, beautiful colour. A discreet, slightly cool nose for Pomerol. A creamy touch. Juicy on entry, broadening out and even a little unctuous. The body builds from the mid-palate. The wine finishes long and subtle after a discreet start. Surprising for the appellation. Don't hesitate to decant.

91–93. Barrel sample. This is a solid wine showing chunky richness that chimes with the black fruit of the vintage. It's full and ripe, but still shines with fresh fruit character.