2016 Chateau La Violette, Pomerol

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 La Violette opens with fragrant cigar box, black tea, wilted roses and spice cake scents with a core of warm black plums, black cherries and mulberries plus a hint of star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers layer upon layer of black fruits and floral sparks, framed by firm, very finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Beautiful.

Juicy and fruity red with round tannins and a delicious finish. It’s tight and reserved yet offers so much on the center palate. Gorgeous. - March 2017

A powerful, sexy Pomerol in the glass without a doubt. It has touches of florality that are extremely welcome in the face of the full on, massive chewy tannins, and it's hard to fault these opulent, exuberant and generous fruits. Thoroughly enjoyable. Michel Rolland consults.

A serious, concentrated, ambitious wine from the owners of Le Gay. The 2010 was awarded 100 points by Robert Parker. Deep, exotic, ripe notes of plum, damson, soy and warm earth. Ultra fine tannins, sultry, elegant mid-palate and fresh, mineral, charming finish. There are layers of attractive perfume here. Maintains its new high standard! - April 2017

This tiny production cuvée comes the team at La Gay. The 2016 Château La Violette is all Merlot raised in new oak. It’s more reserved and elegant compared to the sexier 2015 and has medium to full-bodied notes of blackberries, violets, smoked earth, and incense. Seamless, nicely concentrated, with good acidity and fine tannins, give bottles 4-5 years in the cellar and it should keep for two decades. As with the Le Gay in 2016, this cuvée leans heavily toward the fresher, more elegant end of the spectrum at the expense of opulence. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful wine.

The 2016 La Violette has an engaging bouquet of voluptuous black cherry, boysenberry and crème de cassis aromas, very pure but not as overpowering as in previous vintages. The palate is rounded and generous, displaying sensual tannin that imparts a velvety texture. It feels slightly lower in acidity than its peers, but there is impressive volume and density toward the finish, which coats the mouth with blue and black fruit. Decadent but with just the right amount of class to render this a quite delicious, sensual Pomerol. - vinous.com, Jan 2019

Warm and inviting, delivering plum and blackberry compote notes infused with anise and backed by a smoldering alder hint. Suave, exotic juice. - James Molesworth (WineSpectator.com, April 2017)

The 2016 La Violette is dense, powerful and authoritative in its expression of the vintage. Chocolate, black fruit, smoke, leather and grilled herbs, along with big tannins, give the wine its decidedly brooding, virile personality. Hints of tobacco, licorice and cedar add aromatic nuance. Tasted two times. - vinous.com, April 2017

Tasted blind. Sweaty socks on the nose initially but then it cleared to beguile. Lovely toastiness as well as ripeness. Long and complex. Though there is a certain simple sweetness to this too. (JR)