Description Some of Bordeaux’s top names have recognised the potential of Pomerol's neighbour, Fronsac. Its wines tend to be a touch more rustic than those of Pomerol and Saint Emilion, with a characteristic freshness and pleasing tannic bite. Château Gromel Bel Air lies just beyond the Fronsac boundary, on a very similar terroir and boasts some of the area's highest vineyards. The limestone soils bring out a dense fruit character in the Merlot and are also good for Cabernet Sauvignon, not always easy to grow on this side of the Dordogne. This top vintage was aged in oak for a year, gaining elegant notes of vanilla that balance the wealth of ripe black fruit. Quality is a given with its Supérieur status and trio of Gold medals. Decant early or cellar.
