La Pointe takes its name from the shape of the vineyard, a wedge of land narrowing to a point on the western side of Pomerol, just outside Libourne. At around twenty-two hectares it is one of the largest properties in an appellation made almost entirely of smallholdings, which is why it has always been easier to find than most Pomerol.
The d'Arfeuille family, Libourne merchants, owned it from 1941 until 2007, so the 1985 was made in the middle of that long tenure. The soils here are sand and gravel rather than the iron-rich clay of the plateau, so the wine has traditionally been the softer, more immediately drinkable face of Pomerol: Merlot with Cabernet Franc, and no great wall of tannin to climb.
That style has a consequence at forty years old. This was never a wine built for decades, and what survives will be gentle and fully tertiary. It is priced and sold accordingly, as a bottle from a particular year rather than a claim about the contents.
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Producer: Château La Pointe
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Vintage: 1985
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Appellation: Pomerol AOC
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Format: 75cl
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Region: Bordeaux, France
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Style: Red
Where it is likely to be now. Built for early drinking on sand and gravel, this will be well into old age — soft, faded and gentle — and is best approached as a survivor rather than a great mature Pomerol.
Who it suits. A modest, honest forty-first birthday present for someone who wants a real Pomerol from their year without spending four figures on it.
Condition. Very slight cellar soiling and minor damage to the label, with the fill between very top shoulder and base of neck, so the wear is cosmetic and the level is good.
Provenance. Bought to order from a professional European merchant. We check fill, label and capsule when the bottle reaches us and photograph it before it ships.
Delivered in 7 to 10 working days, tracked. Transit cover can be added at checkout.
Sold as a collectible item, as seen. No guarantee is given on drinkability.
