Clos l'Eglise 2009

The 2009 is one of the sexiest wines in Pomerol in this vintage, offering up notes of melted caramel, sweet mocha, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with hints of loamy soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco as well as a touch of white chocolate and some subtle toasty oak. Round, opulent and unctuously textured, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous purity, and no hard edges, this sumptuous, fleshy, lavishly rich Pomerol can be drunk now and over the next 25 years.Starting with the resurrection of this property in 1998, I have long been a huge fan of Helene Garcin's older vintages of Clos l'Eglise, so I am hard-pressed to say that the 2009 Clos l'Eglise (virtually all Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc) could be any better than her brilliant efforts in such vintages as 2000, 2001 and 2005.

This has a fine, reserved but very well defined nose with pure blackcurrant and raspberry, developing some fine minerally notes with tie in the glass. Very fresh and vital. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced, just a little hardness on the entry at the moment but that will soften with time. Grippy tannins on the finish, much more backward than either the 2007 and 2008 with a tobacco laced focused finish. Impressive, but definitely a vin de garde Pomerol. Tasted March 2010.

Gorgeous blueberry and blackberry aromas, with toasted oak. Complex and pretty. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long flavorful finish. Very polished.

Slightly tired sample but there is real interest here. Broad and layered. A little pruney but not excessively dry on the finish. Date tasted 29th March 2010. Drink 2016-2028.