Lalande-de-Pomerol: the 2017 vintage

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A lesser-known appellation than its star neighbors Saint-Emilion or Pomerol, Lalande-de-Pomerol wines have nothing to envy the most famous wines of the Bordeaux region. Let’s discover, through the 2017 vintage, this appellation that delivers the promise of great Bordeaux wines while adding its own special touch of seduction.

An appellation of roundness and sensuality

Recognized as an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée since 1936, Lalande-de-Pomerol is one of the most prestigious appellations in the Bordeaux region. It is located in the Libournais sub-region, on the right bank of Bordeaux (the Gironde estuary separating the right and left banks). Spread over the communes of Lalande-de-Pomerol and Néac, the 1,200-hectare appellation is separated from the Pomerol vineyards only by the Barbanna river.

Lalande-de-Pomerol owes its vineyards to the Romans, who built winegrowing villas here in the first centuries AD. Then, during the Middle Ages, the soldier-monks of Saint John of Jerusalem continued to develop the wine industry. This long history of winegrowing in Lalande-de-Pomerol continues to live on through passionate winemakers committed to preserving their terroir. As long ago as 1884, the winegrowers of Lalande created the Lalande-de-Pomerol agricultural and winegrowing syndicate following the phylloxera crisis, in order to help each other preserve their vineyards, making them pioneers in the Gironde region.

Benefiting from an oceanic climate conducive to viticulture (due to its relative proximity to the Atlantic), the vines are planted on a wide variety of soils, ranging from gravel to clay-loam. Merlot is the main grape variety, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the three flagship Bordeaux grape varieties.

The 2017 vintage: low quantity but high quality

The 2017 vintage is one of fine quality, reaching maturity and the full flowering of its flavors. However, this vintage did not escape the curse of the “7” years: a frost episode in April (which turned out to be one of the most severe frost episodes in the region since 1991) and a few hail storms greatly reduced harvest yields. But the few months preceding the 2017 harvest were milder, enabling us to save the harvest by preserving its health and guaranteeing remarkable quality.

On tasting, the Lalande-de-Pomerol 2017 reveals elegance and subtlety, with perfectly balanced notes. On the nose, ripe fruit aromas (such as slightly cooked prunes) prevail, accompanied by notes of kirsch and violets. Fruity and slightly spicy on the palate, with notes of cherry, plum and cocoa. The tannins are present but silky and velvety, revealing the charm of the Lalande terroir and the successful work of the winemakers. The 2017 vintage, both powerful and sensual, will make an excellent partner for meats in sauce or rack of lamb.