Clos l'Eglise 2015

A tight and focused red with blackberry, dark-chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors, which follow through to a full body. Integrated and round tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs three or four years to soften but very focused and precise. Structured. Try in 2021.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Clos l'Eglise has a very earthy nose of black soil, truffles and mossy bark over a core of kirsch, blackberry preserves and dried mulberries with wafts of rose hips and oolong tea. Full-bodied, richly fruited and packed with savory layers, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy. Drink 2020-2038.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Light floral note. Edgy and nervy. Pretty dry on the end. Meaty/vegy notes. Just lacks a bit of juice.
Drink 2024-2032

The 2015 Clos l'Eglise was picked on 8, 14 and 23 September apropos the Merlot and the Cabernet Franc on 23 September. Co-proprietor Hélène Garçin-Léveque told me that for the first time, Clos l'Eglise was one of the first Pomerols to be picked since they felt that the grapes were fully ripe. So why wait? That clearly is vindicated by the bouquet with ebullient, ripe blackberry and wild strawberry fruit, almost Burgundy-like in terms of its purity. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, tensile tannin, brimming over with energy, tightly packed towards the more linear finish than usual. This is a Clos l'Eglise built for long-term bottle ageing, though I suspect it will actually come round a little earlier than usual. A wonderful Pomerol, almost understated, but full of personality. Drink 2022-2050.

A soft and fruity red with walnut, plum and earth aromas and flavors. Full to medium body, clean finish. Refined and pretty.