| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Denis Durantou made stunning, age-worthy wines here, from 1983 until his untimely death in 2020. Since the breakthrough 1985 vintage, L'Eglise Clinet has invariably matched or beaten all the top names of Pomerol in blind tastings at Southwold and elsewhere. Denis' right-hand man, Olivier Gautrat, had worked with him every day for over two decades and continues the Durantou wine-making philosophy. Noémie and Constance Durantou continue and uphold their father's legacy. Produced from 40 year old vines over 4.2 hectares, picked when ripe but never late. Old vines, great terroir and inspired, yet traditional, wine-making. As our blind tastings have proved over and over again, this is one of the top wines of the Pomerol appellation and a genuine rival of neighbours Pétrus and Lafleur.
2025 L'Eglise Clinet was made from a yield of 30 hl/ha which means less than 1,000 dozen bottles will be made. The 14.5% natural ABV is high for the vintage. It is 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Merlots picked on September 4th and 5th and the Cab Franc on the 12th. Maturation in 75% new oak.
The 2025 L'Eglise-Clinet was picked on 4 and 5 September for the Merlot and the same days plus 12 September for the Cabernet Franc; this vintage matured in 75% new oak. The aromatics are timid at first, but unfurl in the glass, revealing enticing scents of raspberry, wild strawberry, truffle oil and cedar. The oak is beautifully integrated, and it gains delineation with each swirl. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins, one of the most mineral-driven L'Eglise-Clinet wines that I have tasted from barrel, gaining cohesion and poise, with perfectly judged acidity and a gentle but insistent grip on the finish. There is a verticality to this Pomerol that gives it a more cerebral slant compared to the 2022, but it is still quite delicious. That said, I would still give it a few years in bottle. 2033 - 2060
A knockout in 2025, Eglise Clinet is a rich, ripe, powerful vin de garde. Bursting with cassis, kirsch, coffee and cedar, the nose previews what is a full-bodied and impressive palate. Dense and laden with dark fruit, the vintage's vibrant acidity gives everything freshness and lift against the sheer concentration and power on show. This feels almost like a left bank wine with its chalky texture and dark fruit, but there is a roundness that fills out on a long, expansive finish to show the underlying Pomerol nature of this wine. Very impressive.
The definition, freshness and complexity are very impressive already. It’s like a finished wine. It’s medium-bodied with precise and vivid flavors of blackberries and cool olives. Long, energetic and dense yet not heavy. Classy. A blend of 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc.
Luscious dark cassis and bilberry fruits, pure perfume, peony and red rose petals, a standout in Pomerol, there is an enveloping and expansive mid palate with full on fennel and anis on close of play, so good, a wine full of emotion and grace. 75% new oak. Harvest September 4 to 12. Cooler fermentation than usual, not higher than 28C, because thick skins. 3.5ph. 4.5ha, so only 3 tanks compared to 5 normally, 30hll/ha. Olivier Guatraut cellar master with Noémie Durantou winemaker. 2034-2048.
The 2025 L'Eglise-Clinet is totally seamless. Crème de cassis, lavender, licorice, mocha, pomegranate and jasmine caress the palate. Impossibly fine, silky tannins frame the mid-palate. Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural richness and all the gravitas that is such a signature here. Gravel, dried herbs, mocha and lavender shape the huge, dramatic finish. 2033-2075.
