A Bordeaux wine shaped by ancient inspiration, amphora ageing, and quiet precision
Some wines look forward. Others look back in order to move forward again. Cuvée Romana 2022 from Château La Renaissance belongs to this second category — a Pomerol that reconnects with one of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world while expressing a remarkably modern sense of purity.
At The French Paradox, we are particularly drawn to wines that challenge expectations. Romana is exactly that: a Pomerol vinified without wood, without added sulphur, and with a philosophy rooted in patience.
Château La Renaissance – a family vision in Pomerol
Located in the heart of Pomerol, Château La Renaissance is owned by the Pradel de Lavaux family. The estate is rooted in the traditional gravel and sandy soils of the appellation, where some of the oldest vines are carefully preserved.
Pomerol itself is a small but highly regarded Right Bank appellation, known for producing some of Bordeaux’s most sought-after wines. It is a landscape defined not by classification, but by individual estates and their ability to express Merlot at its highest level.
Merlot – the soul of Pomerol
At the centre of Romana is Merlot, the signature grape of Pomerol.
Merlot here is capable of extraordinary depth and finesse. It brings ripe black fruit, soft structure, and a naturally velvety texture. In the best terroirs of Pomerol, it achieves a balance between richness and elegance that defines the appellation’s identity.
In Romana, Merlot is not shaped by oak or heavy extraction, but by time, gentle handling, and the influence of terracotta.
Amphora – returning to ancient roots
The defining element of Cuvée Romana is its use of Tuscan terracotta amphorae.
This is a winemaking vessel that predates oak barrels by centuries. Inspired by Roman traditions, amphorae allow fermentation and ageing to take place in a neutral environment, where the wine is not influenced by external flavours.
The natural porosity of terracotta enables slow oxygen exchange, softening tannins while preserving freshness and purity. At the same time, the absence of wood ensures that nothing masks the expression of the fruit.
It is a method that demands patience: fermentation is slow, gentle, and allowed to follow its natural course over around 15 months of ageing.
No added sulphur – a question of precision
One of the most striking aspects of Romana is its vinification without added sulphur. This is made possible by careful fruit selection, gentle extraction, and the stabilising effect of prolonged skin contact in amphorae.
Rather than relying on intervention, the wine is guided by precision at every stage. The result is a style that feels direct and transparent, where fruit, texture, and terroir are expressed without filtering.
A wine of purity and texture
In the glass, Cuvée Romana 2022 shows a deep garnet colour and a refined aromatic profile. Black fruit dominates — plum, blackberry — supported by subtle mineral notes.
On the palate, the texture is silky and fluid. The tannins are present but polished, shaped by slow oxygenation rather than oak influence. There is a clarity to the fruit that feels almost crystalline, carried by a long and precise finish.
It is a wine that feels both ancient and modern at the same time.
A different expression of Bordeaux
Pomerol is often associated with richness, oak ageing, and plush textures. Romana offers a different interpretation.
By removing wood and reducing intervention, Château La Renaissance reveals another side of the appellation — one that focuses on fruit purity, texture, and natural balance.
It is still unmistakably Pomerol, but seen through a different lens.
A wine shaped by time, not trends
Cuvée Romana 2022 is not designed to follow fashion. It is built around a simple idea: allowing wine to express itself with as little interference as possible, while respecting ancient methods that have stood the test of time.
The result is a wine that feels thoughtful, composed, and deeply connected to both its place and its history.
In many ways, it is a reminder that innovation in wine does not always mean doing something new — sometimes, it means returning to something very old, and doing it with precision.
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