Bordeaux Right Bank - Eight Years Later

The 2018 Marius Bielle Lalande de Pomerol is a right bank wine from Bordeaux. In fact, it is labelled as a Grand Vin de Bordeaux. The appellation is Lalande de Pomerol, north of the Pomerol region. The grapes are grown organically and biodynamically, 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol sits at 14% and the retail price is about $41. 

This wine is inky dark. The nose is a savory expression of black plum, blackberry, anise, and a very faint whiff of smoke, much fainter than I expected. I kept waiting for some chocolate notes to appear, but I never got them. The aromas hit me as sharp, not soft, if that makes sense. The palate offers a fruitier side of the wine, with cassis, berries, and licorice in the mix. The tannins are quite firm yet, and they pucker the mouth a bit. The finish is long and savory. Hopefully you have a good steak at hand with which to pair it. 

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