Château Nénin 2006

The finest vintage since 2000, the 2006 Nenin comes across as a classic Pomerol with lush kirsch liqueur, mocha, mineral, and floral characteristics. Made in a muscular, rich, full-bodied style with moderate tannins as well as impeccable purity, texture, and length, it should drink well between 2012-2025. Owned by Jean-Hubert Delon, of the renowned St.-Julien estate of Leoville Las Cases, Nenin is situated adjacent to the city of Libourne.

Bright crushed berry, chocolate and liquorice aromas follow through to a full body, with ultra-refined tannins and a long, polished finish. There's a lovely texture to this wine. Best after 2013.

The 2006 vintage is not always generous, but it is now beginning to be fully open with Merlot-dominated wines such as Nénin, and this is at a sweet spot for drinking. Expansive blackcurrant and bilberry fruits, held firmly in place by still well-structured tannins, this is enjoyable and well-balanced, if less sleek than you find in more recent vintages of this estate.

Aromas of dried flowers and leaves with lots of dried fruits. Full and chewy. Extracted and rich. Truffles and morels. Dried fruits. Begin drinking.

Tasted blind. Blackish ruby. Lacks freshness on the nose but is much fresher on the palate. A little simple but lots of fruit and no excess of tannin. Quite forward. (JR)

Good bright ruby-red. Dark fruits, bitter chocolate, minerals and violet on the lively nose. Dense, chewy and rather serious, with sweet, slightly medicinal dark berry flavours complicated by a note of leather. Surprisingly pliant for such a brooding wine. Finishes with fairly fine-grained, broad tannins.

Medium-deep garnet-ruby colour, with a delicate rim at the edge. An inviting, refreshing blackberry bouquet, with fine noble wood notes behind. On the palate dense and refined, soft contours, creamy tannins, then nicely supportive on the finish. Never has a young Nenin been so fine and powerful at the same time, close to 18/20.

Medium-deep garnet-ruby, a fine rim at the edge. A warmly expressive, refreshing blackberry bouquet, with delicate fine oak notes behind. On the palate dense and refined, soft contours, creamy tannins that still provide lovely support on the finish. Again, a new Nenin so fine and powerful at the same time. Close to 18/20.

Fruity, velvety, sweet bouquet with cherries and toasty notes. Velvety, sweet palate with plenty of dry tannins, medium structure, soft fruit. Drying finish. 17/20 2012 - 2025

Blackcurrant nose with a spicy touch, this wine is admirable on the mid-palate, then the tannins lengthen and build tension. It proves superior to the 2005.

This Nénin 2006 is in great form! A bouquet of good intensity revealing notes of dark berry fruit, cherries and cedar. Lovely freshness. Silky, dense character on the palate. The tannins are supple, with a very fine grain, and are perfectly integrated. They lend breadth as well as power across the palate and ideally support the finish. A very fine success from Nénin with sufficient substance to ensure a promising future.

There is great depth of fruit here, combined with the velvet textures that come from ripe Merlot. At the same time, this wine has a structure at its heart surrounded by that generous, delicious, blackberry fruit flavor.