Original bottle illustration — Bacchus Global
Pomerol AOC · 2021
JOSEPH JANOUEIXClos des Litanies
In 1514, a monk tending this plot in Pomerol recited litanies to the patron saint of winemakers—an act of quiet devotion that gave the small parcel its name and, centuries later, still echoes in the wine's own hushed, contemplative character.
- Wine type
- Red wine
- Grape
- 100% Merlot
- Appellation
- Pomerol AOC
- Origin
- Libourne, Bordeaux, France
- Drinking window
- —
- Recommended temperature
- 16°C
- Alcohol
- 13.5% ABV
- Bottle size
- 750 ml
The Story
In 1514, the Knights of Malta appointed a priest named Mathieu Bossuet to the parish of Saint-Jean de Pomeyrol. Known for his devotion, he found daily quiet within a small vineyard enclosure near Jougla, where he recited litanies to the patron saint of winemakers. Local growers later named the plot in his memory: Clos des Litanies.
The parcel now belongs to Joseph Janoueix, a Libourne wine house whose roots trace to 1898. The producer itself has described this small, single-varietal Merlot cuvée as 'the Romanée-Conti of Pomerol'—a phrase reflecting its own house pride rather than independent critical consensus—worked with a gravity-fed, low-intervention approach.
Taste profile
In the glass
CLOS DES LITANIES
Scale1–5
BG wine structure estimate
Comparative profile within the Bacchus Global wine range.
Licorice and cinnamon lead the nose, with a fresh, cocoa-tinged edge.
Concentrated and intense on entry; firm tannins soften and unfold with air, revealing finesse, complexity and a well-built structure.
Before it reaches the glass
Temperature
Serve at 16°C, ideally decanted for about an hour beforehand.
Timing
—
Glassware
A Bordeaux-style glass suits its structure and aromatic detail.
At the table
The wine's cocoa-toned oak, gentle spice and softening tannins give it range across several cuisines.
Rather than calling for classic heavy Pomerol fare alone, its fresher 2021 character allows it to sit comfortably alongside dishes that share its warm spice and structured richness.
Japanese
- Seared A5 wagyu fillet, lightly salted
- Duck breast simmered kamo nanban style
- Wagyu sukiyaki in a rich soy-based broth
Why it worksThe savory-sweet depth and gentle fat of these preparations mirror the wine's cocoa-toned oak and softening tannins.
Thai
- Northern Thai herb-marinated grilled pork
- Roast duck with massaman curry sauce
- Grilled pork skewers with tamarind-chili nam jim jaew
Why it worksWarm spice and light char in these dishes echo the wine's own cinnamon and licorice notes, while its structure carries through the richness of the meat.
Western
- Entrecôte à la Bordelaise
- Roast venison with Grand Veneur sauce
- Aged Camembert or Brie
Why it worksClassic Bordeaux pairings built around structured red meats and peppered sauces meet the wine's tannic backbone, while soft aged cheese cushions it.
From cellar to bottle
Winemaking
Hand-harvested Merlot is moved by gravity alone into open wooden vats, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and worked with alternating pigeage and remontage across roughly two-thirds of a five-and-a-half week fermentation. As with every vintage of this cuvée, ageing takes place entirely in new French oak from the Allier forest, part of it in custom cigar-shaped barrels that increase surface contact with the lees.
Product detail
Bottled at the estate from a single 0.84-hectare parcel that, as with every vintage of this cuvée, is planted entirely to Merlot, the wine is worked across four barrels each vintage in a standard 750 ml format.
Origin
The parcel lies on the Pomerol plateau, an area historically linked to some of the appellation's most storied vineyards, and has carried its present name since the sixteenth century.
Official producer website→Critic's Note
Michel Rolland & Stéphane Toutoundji, Gault & Millau
Tasting comments from Michel Rolland and Stéphane Toutoundji, published via Gault & Millau, placed the wine in a 'silky wines' category, noting licorice and cinnamon aromas and a fresh, cocoa-toned palate.
Trade information
Contact Bacchus Global for product documentation, availability and trade enquiries.
