Chateau Nenin Pomerol 2005

Chateau Nenin Pomerol 2005 is a Right Bank Bordeaux red wine from Pomerol, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 96 points by James Suckling and 93 points from both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, the 2005 vintage stands as one of the estate's most acclaimed modern releases — a wine built for structure as much as fruit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Pomerol, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 2005  |  Winery: Chateau Nenin

Production & Heritage

Chateau Nenin is one of the larger estates in the compact Pomerol appellation, owned and managed by the Delon family, who are also proprietors of the celebrated Chateau Léoville Las Cases in Saint-Julien. The 2005 blend is composed of approximately 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, vinified using traditional Bordeaux methods. A distinguishing winemaking decision at Nenin is the inclusion of a notably high proportion of press wine — up to 20% in certain vintages — which lends the wines a masculine, firmly structured character that sets them apart from the lush, velvety profile typical of most Pomerol estates.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe, grapey intensity before revealing layers of mineral, tarragon, and fresh flowers. Deeper in the glass, wet earth, plums, and dried cassis emerge alongside hints of cedar.

Taste: The entry is medium to full-bodied, led by sweet black cherry and licorice. The mid-palate builds with well-integrated tannins that frame flavors of espresso bean and caramel, while the overall impression leans toward a Médoc-like structure superimposed on ripe Pomerol Merlot fruit.

Finish: The finish is long and firmly textured, with lingering notes of light vanilla, berry, and milk chocolate. Red plum skin and dried herbs persist, slowly giving way to fine-grained tannin.

How to Drink Chateau Nenin 2005

This wine is best served at cellar temperature (16–18°C / 61–64°F) and benefits from decanting for at least an hour to open its structured core. At nearly two decades of age, the 2005 rewards patient, attentive sipping — pour it into large-bowled Bordeaux glasses to allow the complex aromatics to fully develop. This is a wine intended for the dinner table rather than cocktails.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector with an age-worthy Right Bank vintage
• Anchoring a tasting flight comparing Pomerol styles and structure
• Pairing with a formal dinner featuring red meat or game
• Celebrating a milestone anniversary with a wine from the lauded 2005 Bordeaux vintage

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chateau Nenin 2005 taste like? It delivers sweet black cherry, licorice, and caramel alongside espresso and cedar, with firmly structured tannins that give it a more muscular character than most Pomerol wines. The finish lingers with berry, vanilla, and milk chocolate nuances.

How does Chateau Nenin 2005 compare to Chateau Léoville Las Cases? Both estates are owned by the Delon family, and Nenin's high proportion of press wine gives it a Médoc-like structure unusual for Pomerol. Where Léoville Las Cases is a Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine from Saint-Julien, Nenin is a Merlot-led Right Bank expression that bridges the two styles.

Is Chateau Nenin 2005 good for cellaring? Yes — the 2005 vintage's firm tannin structure and concentrated fruit have allowed it to age gracefully, and well-stored bottles should continue to develop complexity for years to come.

Where is Chateau Nenin made? Chateau Nenin is located in the Pomerol appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate is one of Pomerol's larger properties, with vineyards planted primarily to Merlot and Cabernet Franc on the appellation's characteristic clay and gravel soils.

What foods pair well with Chateau Nenin 2005? Braised short ribs complement the wine's structured tannins. Roast duck breast mirrors its dark fruit and earth. Aged Comté or Gruyère echo the cedar and vanilla notes. Pan-seared lamb chops with herbs align with the wine's herbal undertones. Dark chocolate desserts harmonize with the milk chocolate finish.

What sizes does Chateau Nenin 2005 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, though magnums (1.5L) may be available depending on the vintage allocation and secondary market availability.

Is Chateau Nenin 2005 worth the price? Chateau Nenin positions as a mid-tier Pomerol in terms of pricing — more accessible than first-growth-level estates like Petrus or Le Pin, yet backed by serious Delon family pedigree and strong critical scores, placing it in a compelling value tier for Right Bank Bordeaux of this quality and age.

Why Chateau Nenin 2005?

The 2005 vintage at Nenin benefits from one of the most celebrated growing seasons in modern Bordeaux history, and the estate's distinctive use of up to 20% press wine gives it a structural backbone that few Pomerol wines can match. With 96 points from James Suckling and 93 points from both Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, the critical consensus is clear: this is a serious Pomerol. The Delon family's stewardship — informed by their experience at Léoville Las Cases — brings Left Bank discipline to a Right Bank terroir, producing a wine that rewards patience and careful cellaring with uncommon depth and complexity.