Description
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.
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 ageing 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.
Tasted blind. Rich and opulent with a layer of spice. Lots of substance. And more tannins than some others in this flight of its peers.
Blend: 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc
Critical Acclaim
JS96James SucklingAromas full of crushed blackberries and blueberries with fresh mushrooms and sandalwood. Full-bodied, very tight and focused with fabulous density of fruit in the center palate and a long, flavorful finish. Shows strength and, at the same time, finesse. Try after 2023.WE94Wine Enthusiast
Made by the winemaking team of Léoville las Cases in Saint-Julien, this is a densely structured wine, rich in generous fruit while also having balanced acidity. Drink after 2027.
JD94Jeb DunnuckDeeper colored, with a saturated purple color, the 2016 Château Nenin is 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc brought up in 35% new French oak. It gives up a terrific bouquet of black cherries cassis, graphite, and some gravelly minerality and damp earth notes. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated yet elegant wine that has fine tannins, good acidity, and a great finish. It’s just a classic, beautifully balanced, elegant wine that does everything right.WS93Wine SpectatorFeatures a core of dark boysenberry, açai berry and black currant fruit that is direct, pure and polished, carried by solid but integrated tannins through a slightly muscular finish. Offers a lingering licorice snap accent and a nice twang of iron-edged minerality. Well-built. Best from 2023 through 2033.RP93Robert Parker’s Wine AdvocateBlended of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Nenin is deep garnet-purple colored and opens with beautiful Black Forest cake, baked blackberries and blueberry compote scents over a core of Chinese five spice, sandalwood and lilacs. Medium to full-bodied and laden with black fruits and spicy layers, it has a gorgeous velvety frame and just enough freshness, finishing long and vibrant.D93DecanterThe Delon family always produce a more Médoc style of Pomerol than you find with many of their right bank neighbours, and it’s not always the safest choice for discovering the sheer exuberance of the appellation. This has an unmistakably serious edge, but alongside it is a totally gorgeous balance of pure, well-layered cassis, dried herbs and black spice. It has firm, chewy tannins and will take its time to come round.
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