Château Nenin 2021

On the eve of the 1997 harvest, Jean-Hubert Delon (owner of Château Léoville Las Cases) 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.

According to the Delon family, Château Nénin is the epitome of a great Pomerol "vin de garde" (wine for laying down). It combines power and elegance, complexity and balance, purity and refi nement. The gradual increase of Cabernet Franc within the vineyards gives the wine tautness, distinction and freshness. To really appreciate the Grand Vin's ageing ability, you may need to be patient. Like all great Pomerol vins de garde, Château Nénin blossoms over time.

"The 2021 Nenin is a decided overperformer, bursting from the glass with notes of dark berries, plums and cherries, complemented by exotic top notes of rose petals, violets, Indian spices and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and velvety, it's lively and polished, with a layered core of fruit and a long, perfumed finish." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, (02/22/2024), Ratings: 93

"In bottle this totally lives up to En Primeur promise, with blackberry and damson fruits, crayon, iodine and grilled earth, with the signature of Nenin in its serious style. Captures the spirit of 2021 in the best sense. Harvest September 23 to October 4. 35% new oak, 3.53ph. No frost impact here, but 21 nights of fighting it through the early season." Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, (01/27/2024), Ratings: 93, Drink: 2026-2040

"The 2021 Nénin is soft, curvy and ready to go, rushing forth with a burst of dark red cherry, blood orange, spice, menthol and cedar. Nénin is not the most potent or complex Pomerol for the year, but all the elements are impeccably balanced. In 2021, this is a wine of pure and total pleasure, a wine more for the senses than for the intellect. The creamy finish is a thing of beauty." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous (02/28/2024), Ratings: 92

"The flagship 2021 Château Nenin is terrific, coming from more classic Pomerol clay soils and based on 64% Merlot and 36% Cabernet Franc, resting in 35% new French oak. It's worth pointing out that this estate lies next to Trotanoy and Le Pin, so this is a fabulous terroir. A beautiful ripe, sexy Pomerol with lots of darker, almost blue fruits as well as notes of chocolate and damp earth, it's medium to full-bodied, has a round, voluptuous mouthfeel, and a great finish. This hit 13.3% alcohol with an IPT of 65." Jeb Dunnuck,  (06/02/2022), Ratings: 92-94