Chateau La Grave a Pomerol is the oldest Pomerol estate farmed by Etablissements Jean-Pierre Moueix, purchased by Christian Moueix in 1971 as his first personal acquisition and now a cornerstone of the Moueix Right Bank portfolio. The eight-hectare property takes its name from the distinctive gravel soils that run across its section of the plateau, planted primarily to Merlot with Cabernet Franc. Though less celebrated than Trotanoy or Hosanna in the Moueix stable, La Grave a Pomerol produces wines of genuine Pomerol character at an accessible price relative to the appellation's top names.

The 2022 Bordeaux vintage delivered exceptional conditions across Pomerol: a warm, concentrated growing season with natural freshness preserved by the clay subsoil's water retention and the diurnal temperature variations of late summer. For La Grave a Pomerol, whose gravelly clay soils are particularly well suited to the warm, dry character of 2022, the vintage should have produced a wine of above-average concentration and aromatic richness relative to the estate's typical profile.

Christian Moueix's description of La Grave a Pomerol as 'the equivalent of a third growth in the Medoc' in terms of its quality positioning within Pomerol offers a useful calibration for buyers navigating the appellation's unofficial hierarchy. The estate's consistent quality under the Moueix umbrella and the 2022 vintage's excellence across Pomerol make this an instructive choice for buyers seeking genuine Pomerol plateau character from a historically managed small estate.

Best from 2027 to 2038. Decant one to two hours and pair with roasted beef, duck or aged hard cheese.

Deep ruby. The nose shows the La Grave a Pomerol signature: plum, dark cherry, clay mineral and cedar, the 2022 vintage's warmth adding a generous, round fruit character. The palate is medium to full-bodied with soft, ripe tannins from the Merlot-dominant blend and a clean, persistent Pomerol mineral finish. Ready to drink from 2027.