Wine Advisor
Nenin 2017
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Composed of 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc—the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever—the 2017 Nenin is deep garnet-purple in color and comes galloping out of the glass with exuberant notes of baked black cherries, plum preserves and black raspberries plus suggestions of licorice, candied violets and fallen leaves with a waft of melted chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers bags of youthful black fruits with seriously spicy sparks and a beautifully plush texture, finishing long with a compelling mineral kick.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2017 Nenin is deep garnet-purple in color and has quite an earthy nose of tar, black soil and fungi notions over a core of cassis and black plums. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and chewy with a racy line and grippy finish.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2017 Nénin is super-expressive and energetic, with tons of Franc character driving its profile. Rose petal, mint, crushed flowers and savory herbs give the 2017 its distinctly aromatic profile. Because of frost, the Franc plays a larger role in the blend, and that most definitely comes through. Although a bit eccentric, Nénin is wonderfully nuanced and alluring in 2017.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2017 Nénin is terrific. Brilliant, focused aromatics and finely chiseled fruit give the wine vivacity and energy to burn. Pliant and succulent in the glass, with striking fruit purity, the 2017 Nénin has so much to offer. Because of the frost, the 2017 contains more Cabernet Franc in the Grand Vin than is typical, which gives the wine its very distinct red toned flavor profile and structural feel. Frost losses were much more severe (70%) in the plots dedicated to the second wine Fugue de Nénin, which was produced, but will not be sold en primeur. In 2017, Nénin is a winner.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2017 Nénin only comes from the plateau as frost devastated the lower reaches. It has a well-defined bouquet, nicely focused with blackberry, briary and crushed stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very refined, not as deep or as opulent as the previous vintage but chiseled and very focused on the peppery finish. Very fine, a Nénin that does not show off like the 2018 because (whisper it quietly), this is better.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
In 2017 Nénin was affected by frost and it was cropped at just 15.5hl/ha. The wine contains a high proportion of Cabernet Franc in the blend compared to previous vintages (there is no Fugue de Nénin this year.) It has a delineated and focused bouquet with blackberry, thyme and subtle truffle aromas that feel seductive, even if I have encountered more complex Nénins in the past. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit. This is well balanced but compact at the moment, a slightly more muscular and more savory Nénin thanks to the addition of Cabernet Franc, which makes for an intriguing Pomerol that will be fascinating to watch develop.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2017 Nénin contains more Cabernet Franc this year because of the frost damage. The grapes were picked from 12 to 29 September although the team did go back to inspect the second generation frosted vines two weeks later but the tannins were unsatisfactory and the fruit abandoned. This means that the overall production was just 15.5hl/ha, matured in 35% new oak with the alcohol at 13.50°. The nose is fairly uncomplicated compared to the last two vintages: red fruit, briary and a touch of desiccated orange peel. The palate is medium-bodied with soft tannin, moderate depth, gentle in the mouth but missing a little structure towards the airy finish. It is a decent, early-drinking Nénin in the making although it lags behind the previous two vintages.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2017 Nénin only comes from the plateau as frost devastated the lower reaches. It has a well-defined bouquet, nicely focused with blackberry, briary and crushed stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very refined, not as deep or as opulent as the previous vintage but chiseled and very focused on the peppery finish. Very fine, a Nénin that does not show off like the 2018 because (whisper it quietly), this is better.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A creamy wine with a solid core of fruit and firm and silky tannins. Lots mineral and crushed-stone character. Full-bodied, rich and structured. Orange rind on the aftertaste. Less than 50% of the normal production. Solid finish.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
The density and drive to this is certainly impressive for the vintage with blueberry and stone character to the dried violet and sandalwood undertone. Medium to full body. Tight and compressed with freshness and length. Bright and exciting. Linear. Salty, too. Try after 2021.
About the Producer
A terroir in the very heart of the Pomerol appellation... Chateau Nénin is one of the most beautiful estates in the appellation. The Grand Vin du Château Nénin is produced on the 8 hectares of the best clay and gravel parcels of the famous Pomerol Plateau. As soon as he bought the estate in 1997, Jean-Hubert Delon immediately undertook major work. Aware of the extraordinary potential of this estate, the vineyard was extensively restructured with new parcels planted with massale selection of the Cabernet Francs from the Léoville Las Cases enclosure. The production equipment have been completely rethought, extended and developed in order to produce the best wines out of the splendid grapes born on this exceptional terroir.
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