Chateau Petit Villages 2013, Pomerol

Deep ruby, tight rim. There is rich black cherry and cocoa on the deep nose and some nuances. Some 70% Merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 10% cabernet sauvignon give some fruit complexities. The palate reflects the nose. Creaminess from the 60% new oak, then relatively rich and dense on the palate, with almost creamy dark berry and mocha flavours. ABV is 12%; old vines(50+ years old; on gravel soil).

The bottle finishes leafy and aromatic in 2013, bold and straightforward with youthful, ripe tannins. It is quite a controversial wine in the earlier stage of development. Some opine that the wine is fleshy and easy(JS, WE, Decanter, Bettane+Desseeauve; the other group says it is pretty tannic(Matthew Jukes, Time Atkins, RP, Stephan Tanzer). Good value.

The best score is from JS, who awards 91 points and writes. 'Aromas of blueberry, blackberry. Some berry and dark chocolate. Medium body, delicate tannins and a delicious finish. Pleasant bitterness and chewiness at the finish. Drink now.' Also 91W, 'Full of fresh black-currant character, this is an attractive, fruity wine. It has a light structure, with intense acidity, resulting in a perfumed wine that should age well over the medium-term.'