Two Right Bank Bordeaux to Drink Now (or Hold)
2019 Le Seuil de Mazeyres, Pomerol + 2019 Ch Canon, Canon Fronsac
September 24, 2024
2019 Le Seuil de Mazeyres
At the western edge of Pomerol, Château Mazeyres , has the advantage of both sand and gravel in addition to Pomerol’s all-important clay soils. Merlot and Cabernet Franc clay soils for texture and backbone, sand for fruit and density, gravel for minerality and nerve.
In this, the estate’s second wine, a more generous proportion of Cabernet Franc brings verve and intensity to Merlot’s fat. It is bright on the attack but there is a there is underlying deep hum of dark spice and warm earth. The wine needs air to fully open up. That done, it is one of the best values in a genuine Pomerol that I have come across of late.
Aroma: Heady savory and dense, firm, layered; Mouth: Nicely balanced deep dark fruit good length , savory, slightly reticent, but promises a lot; Very Good - Excellent $35; Case, $29.75
2019 Chateau Canon, Canon Fronsac
The small 10 acre Château Canon is said to be one of the oldest in Fronsac. In the mid 18th century Marie-Josèphe de Saxe, mother of the last three French kings, wrote that she preferred the Canon of Fronsac to Margaux or Haut Brion.
In the Revue de Vin de France, Karine Vincent rated this among the best of 48 2019 Canon Fronsacs she tasted two years ago, writing.
“The nose has a floral and sanguine character at the same time, on a palate with silky tannins. The pleasure of red fruit returns in a finish endowed with fine tannin”
Another critic wrote
“Bursting from the glass with glossy notes of black plums, crème de mure and violets. The palate is plump and juicy, with a pleasing sweetness to the fruit to make this ever so moreish in its youth. A hint of oak spice rounds out the finish nicely."
Tasted this month from a bottle that had been aired, .I liked it very much, for a mellowed cabernet franc and wood spice and layered complexity.
Aroma: savory and herbal franc spice, some leather and cassis over blackberry; Mouth: bright dense smooth clean mouth failing Merlot, , herb tinged, nice lines, well composed and complete and satisfying; Very Good - Excellent $29.99; Case, $25.49
(Note that although this reassembles a forward St. Emilion, it is not that commune’s Ch. Canon. It is not so weighty and much more enjoyable to drink now.)
Len Rothenberg
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