Among Pomerol's most compelling signatures, the Clos René 2024 - Pomerol AOC embodies a quiet elegance—one that favours accuracy over flash. On gravel and sandy soils where the vine finds natural balance, this wine expresses the spontaneous grace of a Merlot-led blend, supported by Cabernet Franc and nuanced by a whisper of Malbec. The wine shows a medium body confidently worn, a framework that is fresh, floral and composed, while aromatic depth develops without heaviness. You’ll find liquorice, cherry and plum notes, a touch of cocoa, and a lengthened finish lifted by delicate acidity. For the informed drinker, this cuvée reassures by its precision and charms by its finesse, rated 89-91 by professional tastings, with a suggested cellaring window from 2027 to 2038. An accessible yet refined cellar pick, shaped by patient winemaking and sustainable viticulture, for meals where conversation matches the measure of a great Bordeaux enjoyed in a salon setting.

Blend and winemaking

The Clos René 2024 draws its personality from a precise blend: Merlot 75% for plush texture and fruit sweetness, Cabernet Franc 20% for lift, structure and aromatic brightness, and Malbec 5% for added weight and depth. The harvest, carefully sorted, is vinified in temperature-controlled concrete vats, ensuring fine extraction that preserves the purity of the grape. The malolactic fermentation takes place in vat to retain freshness, before the wine gains complexity during an 18-month ageing in French oak barrels, 25% new, delivering discreet oak that polishes the texture without dominating. On a historic estate of around 18 hectares, sustainable viticulture relies on practical farming sense and close observation of the vines. Production is deliberately limited to about 6,000 cases on average, a sign of commitment to the cru's coherence and identity rather than volume.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Clear and deep, the wine shows an inviting brightness. The clean rim suggests good aging potential, while the regular legs betray a silky texture. Everything here speaks of balance rather than opulence, a contained density that favours momentum and grace.
• Nose: The opening reveals a floral bouquet suggesting peony and violet, joined by delicately ripe red and black fruits, cherry and plum, then a liquorice thread and a discreet cocoa note. With aeration the palette gains precision, mixing a breath of dried herbs, a subtle spicy edge and a finely integrated oak that recalls the light toast of French oak.
• Palate: The attack is straight, fresh and luminous, then the mid-palate becomes caressing, unfurling precise, juicy fruit. Tannins, edged with tact, form a tight yet polished grain. The finish extends on liquorice, cherry and cocoa nuances, carried by steady acidity that prolongs the pleasure without weight. The medium body style invites to the table and conversation, favouring drinkability over showmanship.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this Pomerol between 16 and 18°C in large Bordeaux glasses to amplify the bouquet and the silky mouthfeel. A 45 to 60-minute aeration will allow the wine to reveal its aromatic lace and the precision of its tannins. Recommended cellaring runs from 2027 to 2038, with peak drinking expected within that window, as the oak recedes behind the fruit and the palate gains creaminess. Store bottles in a cool cellar, away from light and vibration, laid on their side to preserve the cork integrity, so that this 2024 can deliver its promise with the serenity that good hosting demands.

Food pairings

• Starters: fine charcuterie, country terrine, mushroom puff pastries, black tapenade, Emmental gougères.
• First courses: œufs meurette, warm gizzard salad, pâté en croûte, mushroom velouté, thin caramelised onion tart.
• Main courses: roasted duck breast, veal chop with reduced jus, milk-fed lamb with herbs, grilled beef steak, guinea fowl supreme with morels, mushroom risotto.
• Cheeses: aged Comté, Tomme de Savoie, Saint-Nectaire, Brie de Meaux, Cantal between-two, to underline the fruit's suppleness and the tannins' finesse.
• Desserts: lightly sweet dark chocolate fondant, pear roasted with cocoa, praline entremets, provided excess sugar is avoided to preserve the wine's balance.

Tasting occasions

The Clos René 2024 fits where one seeks a harmonious table without ostentation.

• For an intimate dinner where every detail matters, from the amuse-bouche to the final conversation.
• During a Pomerol vertical at home, to measure a vintage’s expression on a classic, luminous style.
• As a gift for an enthusiast, elegant and reliable, appreciated for its balance, integrity and ageworthiness.

Details

• Name: Clos René 2024 - Pomerol AOC
• Appellation: Pomerol AOC
• Type: Red wine
• Vintage: 2024
• Grapes: Merlot (75%), Cabernet Franc (20%), Malbec (5%)
• Alcohol: Not disclosed
• Ageing: 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new
• Bottle size: Not disclosed
• Cellaring: 2027 to 2038
• Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C