Château Tournefeuille Lalande de Pomerol

In 2017 the blend of Chateau Tournefeuille is 74% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon has been added to boost the structure as the vintage was a little cooler. The wine has lovely red berry and cassis aromas with a floral note on the nose – if it appears a little closed on the nose at first, decant it or give the wine in your glass a good swirl. The wine feels silky smooth in the mouth and tastes of dense mature black fruit flavours plus some mineral notes and it is developing more savoury and coconut notes as it ages. The texture is divine, a very elegant and balanced wine.

Château Tournefeuille Lalande de Pomerol 2019 has gone back to the classic blend for Pomerol and Lalande de Pomerol, roughly two thirds Merlot and one third Cabernet Franc; the warm weather that year meant that Cabernet Sauvignon was not required to add structure and that riper black fruit aromas and flavours dominate.

Situated on the Pomerol / Lalande de Pomerol border with Château Pétrus just across the river Barbanne, Château Tournefeuille benefits from a hill-top position and the best clay and gravel soils of the region. This means its Lalande de Pomerol is powerful and its tannins soft. Run by the Petit family the Château practises sustainable agriculture including traditional ploughing and manual harvesting. The vines range from 10 to over 60 years’ old.

Recommended with steak, beef casseroles, lamb, chicken, turkey and  smooth enough to have with pork dishes also.  Also good with cheese, tomato-based dishes, mushrooms, roast vegetables etc. At Christmas, left bank Bordeaux can be too tannic for low fat meat but this right bank Bordeaux with softer tannins is the perfect accompaniment to turkey or roast beef and, given that it is still very fruity, would work well with goose or duck.

Serve at 15 – 17 °C

“Beautiful grapes have been harvested! Let’s come back to the classic blend of Tournefeuille. Nose of blackberries and cocoa. Sweet, round, full-bodied and of good length. Very polished finish all in the image of a beautiful Pomerol! Satisfaction of the winemaker.”

For the 2017 vintage:

91 points – Vert de Vin – Apr 2018
“The nose reveals notes of toasted, sugared mild tobacco, cassis and more slightly blackberry associated with fine touches of wild berries. The palate is fresh, juicy, well-balanced, racy and offers a good definition as well as a good freshness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy cassis and more slightly wild berries associated with small touches of red berries as well as fine touches of cola and liquorice stick. Good length.”

La revue du Vin de France  – Jun 2018
“Definitely one to look out for.”

For the 2019 vintage:
Gold Medal – Concours Terres de Vin 2022

91 points – James Suckling

90 points – Wine Spectator