Sitting amongst the top tier of Pomerol producers, the vineyards of Château L'Eglise-Clinet were originally those of Château Clinet and Château Clos l`Eglise. Since 1982, the Château has been under the guardianship of Denis Durantou. The Durantou family have had interests in Pomerol since the 18th Century.
Vintage to vintage, L’Eglise-Clinet is a blend of approximately 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in concrete and stainless steel, it is aged in oak barriques (50-7-% new) for 18 months.
"The 2016 L’Eglise-Clinet was matured in 80% new oak and bottled in mid-April 2018. Crystal clear in color, it has an equally crystal clear bouquet that is utterly seductive, featuring red cherries, wild strawberry, peony and iris flowers and a hint of bay leaf. You could sit and nose this all day. The balanced palate is medium-bodied and grippy in the mouth, displaying supple tannin and a perfect line of acidity. Again, there is a symmetry about this Pomerol that is utterly beguiling, and the persistence is up there with the very best. Simply put, this is one of the best L’Eglise-Clinet wines I have tasted in recent years. Stunning. 2026-2066"
98 Points, Vinous
"The depth and beauty in the aromas really draw you in with black truffles, blackberries, crushed stones, violets and other flowers. Black olives, too. Full-bodied, super refined and structured with perfectly manicured tannins and a very, very long finish. It’s full of soul and precision. Take a look after 2024."
98 Points, JamesSuckling.com
'The 2016 L'Eglise-Clinet is glorious. Rich and ample on the palate, with striking depth, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol and exotic spice grace this exquisite wine. The 2016 has tremendous richness and concentration, and yet is not ready to show all of its cards yet. Even so, the purity of flavors is simply tremendous. I will not be surprised if the 2016 turns out to be even better than this note suggests. At this stage, though, it is quite clearly one of the wines of the vintage. This is a fabulous showing from Denis Durantou. 2024-2056'
98 Points, Antonio Galloni
Pomerol, on the Right Bank of Bordeaux’s Gironde River, produces some of the world’s most sought-after wines, including those from such storied properties as Chateau Petrus. Yet Pomerol, the smallest of the fine-wine-producing districts of Bordeaux, offers no Grand Cru or Premier Cru wines: It’s the most significant Bordeaux appellation not included in any quality ranking. At the time of the historic 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, Right Bank chateaux were considered remote and difficult to travel to, and so were ignored by the merchants who created the classification. (St. Émilion, a notable neighbour on the Right Bank, created its own classification system in 1954.)
Pomerol has managed to do quite well without this form of validation. Pomerol’s predominantly clay soil is ideally suited for Merlot, the primary grape used in the appellation. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are also included in Pomerol’s blended red wines. The wines of Pomerol are lush and rich, and generally not as tannic as the Cabernet-based wines of Bordeaux’s Left Bank. Although Pomerol’s very best wines are capable of aging for decades, most are made for immediate consumption. These Merlot-based wines are known for their lush texture, elegance and grace, as well as the softer tannins they offer in comparison to the Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines made elsewhere in Bordeaux.
