| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The purity of fruit is so alluring in this wine. Aromas of crushed berries, lemon rind and flowers follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. All in finesse and texture. So fine and persistent. Try in 2022 but already an inspiration to taste.
The 2014 l’Eglise-Clinet was picked 25 September and on 4 October for the Merlot, the 6 October for the Cabernet Franc. Against expectations, here it seems more fruit-driven than the 2015 with plenty of wild strawberry and cranberry fruit laced with truffle and light cedar scents. This is quite vivacious and unlike the 2015 appears to show no signs of closing down. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly tough tannin on the entry that will soften with bottle age. There is certainly good matière here with a gentle grip towards the finish that shows great depth and finesse. Maybe this will become a prettier l’Eglise-Clinet compared to the 2015, if not quite possessing the same longevity. Tasted at the l’Eglise-Clinet vertical at the château in April 2018.
Tasted blind. Very dark. Juicy and fluid and a bit sweet and flattering but creditable. Just a bit chewy on the end.
Drink 2023-2036
Denis Durantou is making stunning wines that, since 1985, have invariably matched or beaten all the top names of Pomerol in blind tastings. Produced from 40 year old vines picked when ripe but never late. No fancy tricks here, just 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. The 2014 Merlot grapes were picked between 26th September and 4th October with the Cabernets picked on October 6th. The assemblage is 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet France with elevage in 70% new oak. Very deep black colour. Very rich and spicy on the nose, with robust, concentrated blackberries, black cherries, cocoa, woodsmoke and truffles. Really intense and massive on the palate, with real muscle from fruit density and tannin when compared to other wines of the vintage. Very juicy, with freshness given by the level of acidity that gives real precision, balance and focus on the long and spicy finish. This wine will be for the long term, with a bigger structure and concentration than most have managed in 2014. Another great success for Eglise Clinet.
This has a big ball of raspberry confiture at the core, with dark licorice and warm fruitcake notes. Hedonistic only to a point, as a serious graphite beam runs throughout, giving this serious drive through the finish. This will keep pace with the top dogs in this vintage. Best from 2020 through 2035. 1,835 cases made.
Fragrant floral the nose has lots of charm the palate a mix of black fruits. Supple and rich in the middle fleshy black plum is backed by firmer black cherry a complex mix of flavours. Although sweet, ripe, fleshy and lush at the back the finish has an elegant charm. 2022-40
Year in year out, Denis Durantou produces one of the best wines in Pomerol: dense, layered, aromatic blends that are always more than the sum of their parts. Rich and expansively oaked, this has impressive structure, plush tannins and a backbone of refreshing acidity. Set for a long life.
The 2014 L’Eglise-Clinet has a gentle, understated bouquet at first that takes time to open, eventually offering black fruit, melted tar, truffle and bay leaf aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, rather masculine and thickset at the moment, lightly spiced towards the finish. Much like the Vieux-Château-Certan, this is a little awkward in a blind setting however, it clearly meliorates in the glass and I keep on having to up my score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Drink 2024-2050.
The 2014 L'Eglise Clinet was tasted from a single bottle but from two glasses, each poured at different times before I arrived for the tasting. They were almost identical on the nose but the one poured later was more compact. It has a very pure bouquet with blackberry, myrtle, a touch of iris and a touch of garrigue (actually reminiscent of fynbos, the wild South African shrubland). The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, a silver bead of acidity, wonderful precision and beguiling purity. This is an outstanding Pomerol for the vintage from Denis Durantou, sophisticated and classy, yet the bottom line is quintessentially Pomerol. Bravo Denis. Drink Date 2020-2045
The Château l’Eglise-Clinet 2014 is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked from 26 September to 4 October and 17 to 21 October respectively and matured in 70% new oak. I tasted the wine from two barrels à la Burgundy with Denis Durantou. It has a gorgeous bouquet that boasts exquisite precision. It is not an intense nose but one that unfurls in the glass, revealing red berries, myrtle and more mineralité than probably any other Pomerol ’14 that I tasted from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin. This is utterly harmonious, the Cabernet Franc more expressive than the 10% would suggest with a long, sophisticated finish whose cousin might be say, Vieux-Château-Certan. This continues a run of outstanding vintages from Denis Durantou and should offer 20+ years of drinking enjoyment. Drink: 2018 - 2040.
A wonderful wine with dense and intense fruit and chewy tannins. Full body, coffee, chocolate, almond and walnuts. Layered. Magic winemaker of Pomerol.
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 70% new oak. Picked 26 September to 4 October. 18,000 bottles.
Very dark crimson. Very rich and perfumed. Sweet and polished but perhaps with a little less earthiness and fire than usual. Big and bold. And a little drying on the end. 14%
Drink 2023-2037
