L'Eglise Clinet 2005

Incredibly dense, powerful wine. Huge tannic content, perhaps a little robust at this stage but coated in velvety fruit. Maintains freshness. Violet aromas. Owner Denis Durantou compares to his benchmark 1989. Drink 2015-2040.

Came eighth out of 184 wines

A sensational effort from proprietor Denis Durantou, this 2005 is a compelling wine, but purchasers should wait at least a decade to begin the magical liquid tour. One of the monumental wines of the vintage, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a glorious perfume of caramelized blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, a hint of toast in the backward, fully integrated oak, full body, and exceptional density and richness. Prodigiously concentrated, this layered, broad Pomerol reveals a seamless integration of acidity, tannin, alcohol, and wood. It is a massive, yet remarkably elegant wine that is as singular as it is exhilarating. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040

Along with Petrus, l’Eglise-Clinet is the superstar of Pomerol in 2005. Proprietor Denis Durantou has produced one of this estate’s most monumental wines. Adding weight and richness since last year, this inky/purple-colored effort offers up a phenomenal bouquet of melted tar, truffle oil, black cherry liqueur, blackberries, caramel, and espresso roast. Powerful, full-bodied, amazingly rich, huge, and dense flavors are accompanied by a boatload of sweet tannin and glycerin. This wine will need considerable bottle age before it reaches full maturity, and it should last for 3-4 decades. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035+.

A spectacular offering from proprietor Denis Durantou, the 2005 ranks alongside the 2000 and 1998 l’Eglise-Clinets. An inky/ruby/purple color is followed by a sumptuous bouquet of violets, melted licorice, creosote, black cherries, blackberries, and espresso. Boasting super intensity, huge, full-bodied opulence and power, and plenty of sweet tannin and glycerin, I would not be surprised to see this 2005 shut down after bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035.

Subtle and fascinating with gorgeous floral and fruity aromas that follow through to a solid palate, full body, ultrafine tannins and a long, long finish. This has class and complexity.

17.5++Dark ruby. Rich ripe nose with a hint of menthol. Not fully expressive but with the promise of lots buried down there. Massive acidity and tannin hits the palate initially. This is a brooding wine not nearly ready to drink but awfully promising. There's a suggestion of something brûlée here but nothing overdone in terms of sweetness or ripeness. A really long-distance runner. Great persistence. 14%Drink 2022-2040

Very dark. Roasted fruit on the nose, very kerpow and all upfront. What's upfront is pretty delicious but the finish is pretty pinched. Shame. May well come right in the end, but at the moment it dries out on the finish. This was the second favourite of the group

1st sample: Dark, bright purple. Rich, round, rather cool and long term - fine and refined. Much less opulent than I would have expected.2nd sample: Rich, velvety, cool and slightly gassy. More than 14 per cent alcohol. Quite different from 2003!! Drink 2016-29