2015 Belle Brise

The 2015 offers a nose of sweet, ripe fruit. It’s plush and mouth-filling, yet retains amazing elegance and great freshness. There’s beautiful balance, with very fine tannins that frame the fruit.

The southwest corner of Pomerol is known for its sand-over-clay based soils – utilizing this is what has underpinned the success of Belle Brise’s neighbours Ch Nenin, La Pointe and Taillefer. However, Belle Brise is a tiny, 2 hectare walled vineyard of much more varied terroir – a deep layer of clay lies on top of an even deeper portion of chalk, topped off with pebbles and gravel on the surface. There is approximately 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, from vines which age around 35 years. Everything here is kept as natural a possible – horses in the vineyard, natural fermentations, no heavy use of new oak. Biodynamic principles are followed but not strictly adhered to if this will compromise the wine when its finally in bottle. It took close to ten years of renovation in the vineyard and chateau to turn the fortunes around here. Since then, the wines have only been distributed to loyal clients and some of the world’s top restaurants. De Coincy’s vision is to create wines which marry the majesty of Le Pin with the beauty of Chambolle Musigny – and the wines are definitely possessed by a Burgundian quality. Ever ones to seek something new, our curiosity naturally led us Belle Brise earlier in the year – what we found were wines of immense character, undeniably Pomerol but with that ghost of Chambolle hovering. Intoxicating dark cherry, blueberry, damsons. Some crushed rocks and minerals lurking in the background. Rich, but with a perfume and fragrance reminiscent of a ripe Vosne Romanee and a hint of truffle and forest floor. Absolutely everything in abundance with silky tannins that are supple and refined. This is going to be mighty special. Classic, polished Pomerol at its very, very finest.