All of the following 2023 Lalande de Pomerol wines were tasted in Bordeaux in April in non-blind tasting conditions. Most of the wines were tasted at the property. However, I also tasted several wines at Negociants, Consultants, or with various trade groups. Far more difficult, and divergent than its more illustrious neighbor, Pomerol, there are some wines worth checking out this year.
2023 Lalande de Pomerol Wines
2023 Canon Chaigneau – Lalande de Pomerol – Red fruits, licorice, dark cocoa, spice, and espresso form the core here. The wine is medium-bodied, forward, and a bit oaky on the palate at the moment, as well as over-extracted. If the wine better integrates, it will be a better wine. The wine blends 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. Drink from 2027-2033. 88-90 Pts
2023 Chambrun – Lalande de Pomerol – Rich, lush, soft, round, and focused on its dark cherries, black plum, and crushed stone character. The wine is fruity, and chalky on the palate, with an oaky edge to the finish, which if the wine becomes more integrated, this will score higher. Drink from 2027-2038. 89-91 Pts
2023 Enclos de Viaud – Lalande de Pomerol – Flowers, herbs, licorice, cocoa, and pit fruits define the core of the wine. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, bright, fresh, and almost brisk, with a refined edge to the soft-textured, sweet berries that get even better with their hint of chocolate in the finish. This is going to be delicious on release. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2032. 89-91 Pts
2023 Garraud – Lalande de Pomerol – Chocolate-covered cherries licorice, and smoke, with notes of espresso form the character here. The wine offers ripe, dark pit fruits with a chewy, chalky texture, and dark cocoa in the finish. Drink from 2026-2036. 88-90 Pts
2023 Haut-Chaigneau – Lalande de Pomerol – Medium-bodied, soft, forward, fresh, and fruity, with a core of chocolate, and cherries, along with hints of spice from start to finish. This will be best over the next decade. The wine blends 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2034. 89-91 Pts
2023 Hauts-Conseillants – Lalande de Pomerol – Dark red fruits with cocoa define the nose, and the medium-bodied, soft fresh, and fruity, elegant palate. You can enjoy this with pleasure on release and over the next decade. The wine is produced from blending 95% Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2035. 90-92 Pts
2023 La Croix Canon Chaigneau – Lalande de Pomerol – Flowers, cherries, chocolate, and plums open the wine. On the palate, the wine is soft, supple, and fresh with a creamy, dark cherry, chocolate, and plum finish. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc, with 50% Merlot. Drink from 2027-2036. 90-92 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard – Lalande de Pomerol – Flowers, cherries, licorice, smoke, and cocoa create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, fresh, medium-bodied, round, and creamy, finishing with plums, cherries, in early-drinking approach. The wine is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2026-2036. 91-93 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard Le Lion – Lalande de Pomerol – Medium-bodied, forward, fresh, and fruity, with a nice floral component to the soft, round, cherry-filled mid-palate, and finish. This is perfect for early drinking pleasure. Drink from 2026-2031. 89-91 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard Le Plus – Lalande de Pomerol – Dark black cherries, licorice, black plums, and chocolate are expressed in the nose. On the palate, the wine is round, lush, forward, and filled with dark, sweet fruits. Medium-bodied, vibrant, and ripe, give it a year or two and it will be great in your glass. The wine is produced from 100% old vine Merlot. Drink from 2026-2042. 92-94 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard Chardonnay – Vin de Pays Pyrénees-Atlantiques – Bright, vigorous yellow citrus, and white peaches are fresh, and refreshing in this easy-to-like, ready white wine. Drink from 2025-2028. 90 Pts
2023 La Fleur de Bouard Sauvignon – Bordeaux – Green apples, pears, pomelo, and tangerine pop in the nose, and on the vibrant, fruity, juicy, and fresh palate. Drink from 2025-2029. 90 Pts
2023 La Sergue – Lalande de Pomerol – Dark, lush, and creamy, with layers of sweet, ripe, black plums black cherries, dark chocolate, licorice, flowers, and spice. There is richness, and lift from start to finish. The wine blends 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec. Drink from 2027-2038. 89-91 Pts
2023 Les Cruzelles – Lalande de Pomerol – Flowers, plums, cocoa, and black cherries show easily in the nose. Medium-bodied, elegant, and fresh, with energy, refinement, layers of sweet, cocoa-infused plums. The finish is creamy, vibrant, and fruity. You can enjoy this Pomerol look-alike on release if you prefer creamy, youthful fruits, or age it for its secondary characteristics. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2038. 92-94 Pts
2023 La Chenade – Lalande de Pomerol – Sweet cherries, flowers, and chocolate show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, elegant, silky, and fresh. The fruit is sweet, ripe, and pure, with vibrance, and a touch of cocoa in the finish. Produced from 100% Merlot, 14.3% ABV. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts
2023 Moncets – Lalande de Pomerol – Medium-bodied, fresh, and fruity, the wine shows off its core of sweet cherries with chocolate to produce a firm, but charming wine that can provide pleasure on release. Drink from 2026-2036. 88-90 Pts
2023 Pavillon Beauregard – Lalande de Pomerol – Medium-bodied,, bright, fresh, and crisp the wine focuses on its red cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and orang rind, with just a hint of cocoa in the finish. The wine is produced in an early drinking style, so you can enjoy it on release. The wine blends 75% Merlot, with 25% Cabernet Franc. 13% ABV. Drink from 2026-2032. 89-91 Pts
2023 Siaurac – Lalande de Pomerol – Plums, flowers, cocoa, and mint pop in the nose with just a bit of air, and swirling. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh, elegant, and already accessible. It is easy to find the freshness in the plums, and cherries with their chocolate accent, and soft-textures in the mid-palate, and in the finish. You can open this with pleasure om release ,and for more than a decade. The wine is a blend of 65% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Malbec. Drink from 2026-2036. 90-92 Pts
2023 Tournefeuille La Cure – Lalande de Pomerol – Produced from a blend of 70% Merlot, and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine pops with chocolate-covered cherries, mint, and flowers. Forward, soft, round, and supple, this is long, ripe, and lush, with a bitter chocolate, and spicy cherry finish. There is a lot to like here with this Pomerol look-alike. Drink from 2026-2036. 89-91 Pts
Up next, we are continuing our look at the 2023 Right Bank wines 2023 Cotes de Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur followed by 2023 St. Emilion Satellite Appellation Wines.
For a detailed overview of the 2023 Bordeaux vintage, growing season, and harvest, with links to all of our appellation reports 2023 Bordeaux Vintage Analysis with Buying Tips for the Best Wines of the Vintage
