Chateau Nenin - Pomerol 2012
Chateau Nenin Description
On the eve of the 1997 harvest, Jean-Hubert Delon purchased Château Nénin, which had belonged to his cousins, the Despujol family, since 1847. A major restructuring was immediately undertaken.
The pruning and trellising methods were reviewed, the land was drained, the vines were replanted or uprooted, and the equipment modernized. The aging and storage cellars were extended and completely re-fitted, and air conditioning was added. A new vat room, furnished with state-of-the-art equipment, was built thereby completing the total transformation of the property.
Château Nénin's vineyards grow on a single block of land with the exception of one plot. In Pomerol, where it is rare for an estate to exceed 10 hectares, Château Nénin's vineyard is considered very large, with 32 hectares of vines in production. As a consequence, its terroir includes the many, diverse soils that characterize Pomerol. It is mainly made up of Oligocene deposits covered by Dordogne alluvial gravelly formations; siliceous clay and gravel, quartz, granite, iron-deposits and basalt pebbles. Château Nénin's vineyards grow on the great clay-gravel terroirs of the Pomerol Plateau.
The vintage 2012 was characterised by a slow, late growth cycle due to a very cool and wet spring. The budburst was spread out over time and created a variation in the stages of development that was to be partially evened out by the dry, sunny period that began in mid-July. The colour change and ripening occurred in ideal weather conditions that continued through to harvest-time. The grapes remained perfectly healthy despite rainy spells during picking.
James Suckling: 92 Points
Chewy and rich with a walnut, almond and delicate chocolate character as well as the ripe fruit. Full and very rich. Drink now.
Wine Spectator: 91 Points
Features a strong roasted alder frame, with a slightly burly core of ganache, espresso, crushed plum and blackberry notes. The grippy finish sports ample briar and currant paste elements. Gutsy, but everything is in place. Should gain more nuance with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2024.
–JM
