2005 Château Nenin
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Tasting notes
Lots of spicy black fruits, loamy earth, tobacco, and savory herbs emerge from the 2005 Château Nenin, a medium-bodied, ripe, velvety, spicy Pomerol that has a supple, impossible to resist style. I like where it is today yet see no reason it shouldn’t evolve gracefully over the coming decade.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 2005 Nénin has aged impeccably. Savory, perfumed and wonderfully deep, the 2005 possesses terrific depth and lovely balance. As always, there is some firmness in the tannin, but a few hours in the decanter helps. Hints of cedar, tobacco, dried cherry and orange zest linger nicely on the finish. If well stored, the 2005 will drink well for another decade, give or take.
The 2005 Nénin has always been a wine that has never quite met my expectations. A blend of 26% Cabernet Franc and 74% Merlot, the bouquet seems rather subdued, stoic, buttoned-up. There are touches of brambly red fruit, sage and cedar, but it lacks the joie-de-vivre of subsequent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with rather chewy tannin, good acidity and moderate depth, but it feels foursquare and rather staid towards the finish. Simply put – this should have been better. Tasted at the château.
Tasted blind. Dark ruby. Rich and velvety on the nose. Flattering but not the freshest. A bit of alcohol on the end. Notably supple. (JR)