La Fugue de Nénin 2022

Open nose, Christmas spices, lightly charred wood; round palate, sweet, ripe fruit, ultra-fine tannins, already wonderfully approachable, with spice and length. A lot of second wine for the money.

Cherry compote and plum purée notes give this a friendly aspect and a bright, breezy feel. Red licorice and hibiscus details chime in on the gently toasted finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2034.

Dark chocolate and wild blackberries on the nose. Lightly framed, this has a core of black fruit and austere saltiness with moderate acidity, but the flavours don't sustain to a long finish. A little pinched, with a flash of heat, tobacco and clove that lingers at the end.

Fresh nose with lots of cherries and red plums. Vibrant and juicy, with medium body and crunchy fruit and tannins. I like the dryness of the fruit, which doesn’t display anything cloying and sweet-sour from the hot year. Crunchy and drinkable. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Enjoy from 2026.

The 2022 Fugue de Nénin is soft, open-knit and very pretty. Crushed flowers, bright, red-toned fruit, white pepper and spice are nicely lifted in this attractive, mid-weight Pomerol from Nenin.

Medium-bodied, forward, fresh, and supple-textured, the wine is already serving up its delicious, earthy-edged, savory red plums from the initial sniff and sip. Drink from 2025–2032.

The second wine of Château Nenin, the 2022 Fugue de Nenin is lively and medium-bodied, offering ripe black cherries, leather, flowers, and spice. Elegant and charming, it has bright acidity and a balanced, refined mouthfeel. Aged in oak barrels, this should evolve nicely for 10-12 years.

Tight through the palate, with pronounced spice, yet delivering juicy damson fruit and attractive, feather-light tannins, studded with fennel and cocoa bean, 10% new oak. Federico Bertucci arrived in 2024 as vineyard and cellar master, coming over from sibling estate Léoville Las Cases. In quality control, Antoine Mariaud, technical director, originally from Sicily, joined Nenin from Bon Pasteur, with extensive experience in drought viticulture. Both would have overseen only the final bottling of this 2022 vintage.

A refined nose of dark fruits and tobacco. On the palate, an intense attack marked by flamboyant fruit, followed by a smooth texture.

Fugue reveals itself gradually, with freshness, through notes of violets and a hint of blackcurrant. Juicy and mouthwatering from the outset, the wine is silky, elegant, and carried by smooth, fine-grained tannins that deliver a touch of freshness on the finish. A delicious wine to enjoy in its youth.

Ripe and luscious, with soft tannins, this is an attractive wine. It has a smoky aroma and juicy blackberry flavors. The wine is likely to develop quickly. Drink from 2027.

The second wine of Nenin is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with an élevage for twelve months in used oak barrels. It was not presented at the primeurs, so this is my first taste. I find fresh red cherry and strawberry fruits on the nose, with a little vanilla and red pepper. This is followed by a supple, charming and nicely polished start to the palate, with a lightly creamed middle, with violets and red pepper. Just a little flourish of tannin in the finish, but really this is just about good to go, especially if you decent for half an hour. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.

Deep-coloured wine, with a slightly lively nose and a soft, juicy, sun-kissed palate. Average length.

Bursting with aromas of sweet berries, rose petals, orange zest and spices, the 2022 Fugue de Nenin is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with supple, powdery tannins and a seamless, succulent profile.