Bourgneuf

Owned by the Vayron family since 1821, this lovely vineyard is situated in the heart of Pomerol’s most prestigious terroirs, with Château Trotanoy as its neighbor. Since 2008, the wine is made by the youngest Vayron to join the family venture, Frédérique, the daughter of current owners Xavier and Dominique. Situated in one of the warmest parts of Pomerol, Château Bourgneuf produces wines that are deep and dense, layered and complex, with perfectly rounded tannins.

2019

AG 93: The 2019 Bourgneuf is another gorgeous wine from the Vayron family. Classy and polished from the very first taste, Bourgneuf has all the creaminess and texture it did en primeur, but with a bit more energy and tension backing it all up. In recent years, Bourgneuf seems to have a touch more volume, but it remains a wonderfully understated, classy Pomerol. Hints of red/purplish fruit, rose petal, new leather and cinnamon linger.

WA 90+: A little shy out of the gates, the 2019 Bourgneuf offers up rich aromas of dark berry fruit, asphalt, loamy soil and new oak. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and lively, with powdery tannins and good length on the finish, it will require a bit of patience.

JS 93: Rich nose of blueberries, dark plums, walnuts and chili chocolate. It’s full-bodied with firm, plush tannins. Compact, rich and dense. Powerful Pomerol. Try in 2026.

2018

WA 92: Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Bourgneuf has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and fragrant notes of lavender, kirsch, black truffles and cinnamon toast over a core of blackberry pie and Black Forest cake with a waft of woodsmoke. The intense, medium to full-bodied palate packs in the black fruit layers, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and savory.

JS 95: This is a powerful Pomerol with dense, layered tannins that coat the mouth and show so much intensity and richness. It’s full-bodied and chewy. A wine that’s structured for the long term. Drink after 2025.

2016

WA 94: The 2016 Bourgneuf is composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Medium garnet-purple colored, it opens with very pretty notions of crushed red cherries, blackberry pie, wild blueberries and potpourri plus hints of tapenade, camphor and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of perfumed black fruits, framed by rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

AG 93: The 2016 Bourgneuf needs a lot of coaxing from the glass, eventually offering blackberry, briar and light cedar aromas. The medium-bodied palate displays grainy tannins and gentle grip. There is plenty of freshness and vitality here, the 15% Cabernet Franc lending a little spice toward the persistent finish. This is one of the best Bourgneuf wines I have encountered in recent years.