Four-Year Vertical of Pomerol by Moueix, 2015-2018
Château Chantalouette is the second wine of Château de Sales, the largest estate in Pomerol, and under the guidance of the Moueix family it has become one of the appellation’s great values: true Pomerol character, shaped by the hand of one of the Right Bank’s most thoughtful stewards, at a fraction of the price of the grand vin.
Christian Moueix’s approach has always been about restraint and transparency. Rather than forcing power or extraction, the goal is balance, texture, and a sense of place. Chantalouette comes from younger vines and select parcels of Château de Sales, allowing it to show earlier and more generously while still carrying the signature of the estate: Merlot-driven richness, supple tannins, and that unmistakable Pomerol polish.
The 2015 vintage is warm, generous, and immediately seductive. This is classic Right Bank hedonism, with plush dark fruit, cocoa, and soft, rounded tannins. It’s the most approachable of the quartet today, offering instant gratification while still maintaining the balance that keeps it firmly in the realm of serious Bordeaux.
The 2016 vintage brings a different energy altogether. Considered one of Bordeaux’s modern benchmarks, 2016 marries ripe fruit with freshness and precision. Here, Chantalouette shows more structure and lift, with darker, more focused fruit, brighter acidity, and a longer, more composed finish. This is the vintage for those who appreciate elegance and definition, and it will continue to reward a few more years in the cellar.
The 2017 vintage reflects a more challenging growing season, but in Pomerol, careful vineyard work made all the difference. Under Moueix’s direction, 2017 Chantalouette is refined and aromatic, with red and black fruit, gentle spice, and a slightly lighter frame that makes it beautifully drinkable now. It’s a reminder that so-called “off” vintages in great terroirs, handled by great producers, can offer tremendous pleasure and value.
The 2018 vintage rounds out the set with richness and depth. A warmer year with ample sunshine, 2018 delivers concentration and texture, yet remains polished rather than heavy. Expect ripe black cherry and plum, hints of mocha, and a velvety mouthfeel that speaks clearly to its Pomerol origins while showcasing the modern finesse that defines Moueix’s work.
Taken together, these four vintages form a snapshot of Pomerol through the lens of Château de Sales and Christian Moueix. This is a chance to taste how vintage variation, thoughtful winemaking, and exceptional terroir intersect. These are all current releases, direct from Chateau and so with perfect provenance. Yes, the great wines of Pomerol are very dear in cost, but the second wines at a fraction of the cost offer nearly the same quality. These wines are not available anywhere else in MA; buy up. You’ll enjoy it.
An attractive ruby red, the wine has a fresh nose dominated by ripe fruit aromas. The elegant, beautifully fresh and rounded palate on red fruit flavours leads into a long finish underpinned by creamy, highly refined tannins.
An attractive ruby red, the wine reveals red berry fruit and spice aromas on the nose. After a supple attack, the rounded and well-balanced mid-palate goes on to reveal fresh fruit flavours, leading into a long and succulent finish.
The wine is red with purple highlights. The intense nose reveals red berry aromas, delicately complemented by spice and vanilla notes. A very supple attack leads into a well-balanced and complex mid-palate on fresh red fruit flavours, especially cherry. Notes of spice and cocoa appear with airing, sustained by velvety, well-integrated tannins, ushering in a long and harmonious finish.
An attractive bright red, the wine has an intense nose on black fruit aromas, a sign of good maturity. The supple attack leads into a mid-palate on black fruit flavours together with hints of roasted coffee beans, while the finish is long and elegant. Altogether, this is a well-balanced, succulent and smooth wine.