La Petite Eglise (2nd label Eglise Clinet) 2013

The 2013 La Petite Eglise, which Denis Durantou poured from magnum since this is how the entire production was bottled, has a precise and fragrant bouquet with crushed stone scents filtering through the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, tensile and fresh in the mouth, not powerful or deep, but lively and playful from start to finish. This is worth seeking out.

Denis Durantou's "second wine" is a serious Pomerol in its own right, but at a fraction of the price of Eglise Clinet. Usually the best value wine in Pomerol. The 100% Merlot fruit is mostly harvested from a separate vineyard next to La Grave a Pomerol with a few barrels from Eglise Clinet itself. 50% new oak, only 7000 bottles in 2013. Medium-deep purple in colour, with a lovely sweet and smoky nose of pure cherry fruit, vanilla and toast. The palate is supple and fleshy with blueberry, plums and mulberry. Opulence and flesh that betrays the norm in 2013, with a sweet cherry finish.

Fragrant perfumed spring violets the nose has lots of charm and although there is freshness the mid palate is rich ripe fruited with fleshy black plum. Supple in the middle rich fruited at the back the finish is fresher and lighter long and elegant.

Plenty of charm this year. Appetising red berry aroma. Juicy fruit on the palate. Lively and fresh with a fine tannic edge.
Drink: 2017-2025

100% Merlot. Pure black fruit - lovely clarity and expression here. Firm, chalk-dust tannins, then quite a light, delicate body. Doesn't seem to deliver all the promise of the nose. The structure is very attractive - strong without being austere - but the flavour stops just a little short. (RH)
Drink 2016-2026