Christian Moueix of Petrus and Dominus fame was busy closing some excellent Chateaux in 2011/2012. First he closed the historic Chateau Magdelaine after the 2011 vintage, merging it into Belaire-Monage. Then he closed Chateau La Providence after the 2012 vintage, now merged into Chateau Hosanna. Magdelaine holds a large place in my cellar, but I have not tried Hosanna.
Somehow La Providence flew under my radar. Gilman posited it was the label that set if off, looking like some modern new age darling stylistically, not a classic Pomerol label. Perhaps. Or I just missed it. Regardless, it was a mistake. While i know 2011 is not considered a heralded Bordeaux vintage, I do think quite a few estates in Pomerol shined (as did Magdelaine, by the way). This La Providence is one of them. Far more classic in structure and style than I had anticipated. Earthy nose of wet moss, rich soil, black fruits and a hint of truffles. My wife was eating a pungent dish with truffles, so I could be projecting on that last note. Palate weight was medium, nice spine of acid, showing some light toasted oak at this early stage and modest tannins. I think this is a wine that hits its stride in 2-3 years and is showing really well right now.
Neal Mollen turned me onto this wine, glad I grab 3 and then 3 more. An Envoyer special. I have recently grabbed some 2008 as well. On this showing, I am looking for more vintages.
All that closed out or discounted stock Stateside is long gone. Had the chance to take a few chunks of inventory when they were first offered to distributors.
Excellent note Robert. I opened one Friday night. Still has some tannin to shed, but it responds to a few hours of air – the last glass was the best, which is usually a good sign. I wonder if the fruit and tannin are in a race to the death, but this is absolutely a classically styled Pomerol worthy of some attention. A bargain at the Envoyer price; less so at the going retail rate elsewhere. If it comes back to Envoyer I will buy more.
Thanks Neal! Glad you turned me onto this wine, I will definitely grab more if it is offered again. I did not find it overly tannic, but I was eating a fairly heavy braised short rib ravioli dish.
Popped the 2008 tonight at a business dinner, paired with a 16 oz ribeye Pittsburgh medium rare, though really came out medium or more. But the wine shined. An excellent vintage for this wine; riper than most left bank 2008s that I have had, but still in a classic vein. All Pomerol in attack, with ripe plums, wet earth, tobacco and sweet tannins. (93 pts.)