The 2018 Séraphine is made from 100% Merlot harvested on September 19-20. It has 13.5% alcohol and will age in 300-liter oak barrels, 50% new, for 16 months. It has a deep garnet-purple color and offers up an expressive nose of baked blackberries, blueberry compote and plum preserves with suggestions of Indian spices, wild sage, damp soil and camphor plus wafts of mocha and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with black fruit and spicy layers with a gorgeous, velvety frame and plenty of freshness to lift the long, savory finish. About 2,400 bottles are expected to be made.

The 2018 Séraphine offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose. It needs to demonstrate a little more clarity, although it seems to settle in the glass and manifests attractive smoke and truffle aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. There is a fine bead of acidity here and a sense of elegance and harmony on the pastille-like finish. Very promising from this new addition to the Pomerol landscape.