L'Eglise Clinet 2009

There is sweetness on the nose, power and richness from the mass of black plum. Supple and fleshy on the palate the richness of the fruit is well balanced by structure from the underlying tannins and the bilberry freshness that is there towards the back ensures sleekness and elegance. Drink 2018-2040.

Rich and dense but equally fresh and poised. Absolutely packed with fruit. Massive tannic frame but tannins smooth, voluptuous and suave. Aromatically reserved but clearly huge potential. Drink 2018-2045.

This is an enormous wine with an incredibly long finish. Sweet and opulent but there is structure too. Very intense red fruit, bright yet opulent. Lingers for minutes....

The 2009 l'Eglise Clinet may eclipse some of the other efforts made by proprietor Denis Durantou over the years. Harvested between September 14 and 28, this blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc is a powerful, almost uber-concentrated wine that tastes like an elixir of Pomerol with an incredibly unctuous feel. This dense purple-colored 2009 (which achieved 14.5% natural alcohol) is extremely powerful, but that power is concealed beneath a mountain of glycerin, fruit, concentration, and body. The purity and richness are off the charts, and the silkiness of the tannins is ethereal. This extraordinary wine possesses extremely high levels of tannin, but according to Durantou, they have almost disappeared because of the wine's amazing depth and richness. It will undoubtedly need a decade of aging after bottling, but it should last for 50+. It is a modern day legend in the making. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2020-2070.

The 2009 L’Église-Clinet has a wonderful, entrancing bouquet with black cherries, truffle, crushed stone and pressed rose petals that blossoms with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a silver bead of acidity, fresh and poised with touches of truffle and graphite towards the finish. Sheer class from Mon. Durantou. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. 2022 - 2050

Picked between 14th and 28th September, a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, from a fresh sample opened half an hour before with the final assemblage, the L'Eglise-Clinet is adorned with a supremely intense bouquet, with ripe black fruits, black plum, black olive tapenade, a hint of liquorice and black truffle. Wonderful definition and sense of controlled power. The palate is full-bodied, voluminous in the mouth, an awesome structure, layers of mineral-rich black fruits counterpoised by a sense of weightless power towards the finish. In its own unique way, a monumental wine. Tasted April 2010.

The nose on this already suggests a deep and contemplative wine with blackberry, dried flowers and sweet berries. Evolves to black olive and hints of asphalt. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and tangy, rich fruit. It really grabs hold of you and wants to tell you it's special. Loads of ripe tannins too. Big and structured. Turns to tapenade.