2021 Emmanuel Rouget, Echezeaux Grand Cru

The 2021 Rouget is a very pretty, sensual wine with no hard edges and fine balance. Red fruit, sweet tobacco, spice and bright orange peel nuances all take shape in a classy, mid-weight Pomerol that is already very nicely put together. Rouget is quite satisfying today.

The 2021 Rouget, a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, has a well-defined bouquet of vivacious red fruit, plus touches of black truffle and incense; the oak here is nicely integrated. The medium-bodied palate offers black fruit laced with licorice on the entry, along with modest depth and fine acidity. Quite structured on the back end, showing a touch of sour cherry mixed with allspice on the aftertaste. Maybe it is just missing some precision, but this has more presence than some of its Pomerol peers, and a couple of edges will be abraded during élevage.