Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Château La Cabanne 2023 – Pomerol, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A pure and unapologetic expression of 100% Merlot delivering power, clarity, and structural precision rather than softness or sweetness. The wine leans bone-dry, mineral-driven, and firmly built, showcasing Pomerol’s clay intensity with serious depth and a refreshingly non-commercial profile. A compelling value expression of authentic Merlot character.

Aromas & Flavors
Black plum, blackberry skin, dark cherry, crushed iron stone, cocoa nib, graphite dust, subtle earth, dried herbs and restrained oak spice.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus to full-bodied with firm structure, compact tannins, restrained fruit sweetness, focused acidity, and a long, dry, linear finish that emphasizes purity and tension over plushness.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, mushroom ragù, steak frites, aged hard cheeses, herb-roasted pork.

Verdict
A serious, terroir-first Merlot that breaks the stereotype of softness and sweetness. It delivers honest structure, mineral grip, and excellent value positioning, making it a strong reference for understanding Pomerol’s more disciplined side.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the kind of Merlot that surprises people, bone dry, focused, and unapologetically structured, yet deeply satisfying. A fantastic reminder that great Merlot doesn’t have to be plush or sweet to be compelling. Pure drive, pure character, and a killer value play. — 14 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc, deep Ruby color with aromas of black berry fruits and earthy spice notes. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry, slightly floral with notes of cacao, oak and tobacco. Medium+ finish, fine tannins, ending with fruit and earthy mineral character. Nice, tasting well now! — 3 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2020 vintage. Only 1 hectare, owned by the Estager family ( also La Cabanne in Pomerol among others). 66% Merlot and 34% Cabernet Franc. Round and ripe, very good value. Even better the next day. — 10 months ago

Stas Medvedev

9.1

Deep ruby color. Close to its peak, but still bit closed up. Black fruits, spices and earth. Complex wine with great character. Truly fine and elegant Pomerol wine. Château Haut-Maillet is independently vinified at Château La Cabanne which also belongs to Estager family. It allows this wine to benefit from the latest equipment and technologies of their new vat. Aging In French oak barrels (30% new). 5 ha located on the NE of Pomerol. 79% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc vineyard with 21 years old vines. Rating 4,1/5 — 9 years ago