Château Nenin 2020

The classic Nenin pencil lead here - you get an intellectual approach to Pomerol at Nenin, with an opening of graphite and liquorice root, but it widens out to show fleshier style of ripe raspberry and black cherry. The tannins give a bite on the finish, and this is one I suggest leaving for a good six to eight years before drinking. 40% new oak, 3.65pH, IPT76. Harvest from September 8th to 23rd. A very good quality Nenin. From 8ha, really focusing only on the heart of the plateau. 40% new oak. Now using 5% amphoras for the Cabernet Franc, which has maybe given this touch of reduction.

Drinking Window 2026 - 2040

68% Merlot - 32% Cabernet Franc

Wine Advocate: 96-98

Wine-Searcher:

Château Nénin is a producer in the Pomerol region of Bordeaux. Like all the wines of Pomerol, Nénin is not part of any classification, but it is highly regarded example of the appellation.

Nénin makes two wines that are both Merlot-dominant red blends. The first is the eponymous grand vin, the second is the Fugue de Nénin which was first sold in 1997.

Château Nénin is relatively large by Pomerol standards with 32 hectares (80 acres) under vine. Consistent with Pomerol and Bordeaux's right bank, plantings are dominated by Merlot at 76 percent, followed by 23 percent Cabernet Franc and 1 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Planting density is high at 6300 to 7100 plants per hectare

Plantings of Cabernet Franc have increased in recent decades. This has mainly been at the expense of Cabernet Sauvignon, which once played a bigger role but is now unlikely to feature in the finished blend of either wine.

Its size means the property showcases Pomerol's varied soil types. The alluvial deposits from the Dordogne feature areas of silica-rich clay and gravel, quartz, granite, iron and basalt pebbles.

The estate is owned by Jean-Hubert Delon. He bought the estate in 1997 from his cousins-by-marriage, the Despujol family, who had run the château since 1847.

Delon revised the pruning and training methods, drained the land, replanted or uprooted vines, and modernized vineyard equipment. The cellars were extended and refurbished, and air conditioning was added. A new vat room with up-to-date equipment was added.

Nénin is the third winery owned by the Delon family and the only estate located on the right bank of Bordeaux. The other two are Château Potensac in Médoc and the esteemed second growth Château Léoville-Las Cases in Saint-Julien.