Pomerol is a tiny right bank appellation next to St Emilion and the market town of Libourne. It's not a particularly impressive place in terms of natural beauty but that really doesn't matter a jot - it's clay soils nurture Merlot grapes into the most expensive and rarified wines in the world. Pomerol wines are just so seductive with their plummy, chocolatey smoothness and upfront fruit. Home to the famous Chateau Petrus which can trade for £30,000 a case in good years. The small size of the vinyards leading to limited quantities and the trendy 'garagistes' style of vinification in the area has led to Pomerol wines becoming prestigious luxury goods amongst the rich. Thankfully there are still some cheaper chateau in Pomerol but they are quite hard to find! Some of these can be a bit mediocre as well so it does pay to take some advice...there is no classification system in Pomerol so one can't be guided by that as a consumer. Robert Parker the great wine advocate has championed the region and his reviews are also a fun way to become further enticed by these wines...