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L'Eglise Clinet 2004

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

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Tasting Notes

The 2004 l’Eglise-Clinet is an outstanding wine for the vintage, where notes both from bottles and magnum have been uniformly impressive. It has a fragrant bouquet with copious red cherry, crushed strawberry, orange sorbet and violet aromas that you would think come from a warmer growing season. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine-grain tannin, a fine bead of acidity, resolutely classic in style with a persistent tobacco-laced finish. It is a quintessential l’Eglise-Clinet that can be broached now, but will also age. Tasted at a private dinner in London.

94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, July 2019

A brilliant effort from proprietor Denis Durantou, this classic Pomerol reveals a dark purple color as well as sweet aromas of raspberries, black cherries, cassis, and hints of caramel and vanilla. It is made in a layered, medium to full-bodied style with moderately high tannin, and superb concentration, structure, and depth. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (171), June 2007

A big and chewy red, with leather, toasted oak and an almost raisin character. Full-bodied, with thick tannins and a long finish. Well-toned muscles. Well done.

89/91
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 05), April 2005

Very deep crimson. Leaps out of the glass with a fan of ripe flavours (just 10 per cent Cabernet Franc) - really quite full of life, very fresh yet very ripe with some dark purple fruit flavours. Ripeness spreads across the palate most impressively until some neat, dry tannins insist on the finish. Very competently made. Very neat. Not skinny. Drink 2014-26

17.5+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (April 05), April 2005
91+
Farr Vintners, Southwold Bordeaux Tasting, January 2008
Read more tasting notes...

The dense purple-hued 2004 L’Eglise Clinet exhibits classic truffle-infused black raspberry and cherry fruit, a hint of vanilla, a sweet, expansive attack and mid-palate, and a long, opulent, full-bodied, moderately tannic finish. This beauty should be long-lived. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (165), June 2006

Denis Durantou has fashioned a pure, deep ruby/purple-colored 2004 offering up notes of black cherry and cassis liqueur interwoven with a hint of licorice. The wood component discretely seasons this beautifully pure, medium to full-bodied Pomerol. With superb stuffing, nobleness, and pedigree, this wine will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.

90/92+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005

The Château l'Eglise-Clinet 2004 was served from magnum ex-cellar. It has a very fragrant bouquet with wonderful purity and delineation: dark cherries, blueberry, a touch of orange sorbet and violets. There is real sophistication here, especially in context of the vintage, one of the few 2004s that possesses a bouquet that locks you in. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, superb acidity, perhaps "classic" in style for want of a better expression, but very long with that spicy kick of black pepper and tobacco on the finish. This is just beginning to drink now, though personally I would afford it another two or three years, just to make sure. Drink: 2015 - 2030.

94
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (225), July 2016
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.