L'Eglise Clinet 2022

This is a wine that needs time in the bottle and in the glass, serious and well built, with body and character, and merits extra ageing. The texture brings us into the heart of Pomerol, or rather its heights, with luscious but reserved quality and the intellectual edge of L'Eglise Clinet. Crushed roses and violets set against dark cassis and blueberry fruits, just brilliant. Harvest September 3 to 9 harvest. 85% new oak, harvest September 3 to 9. Noemie Durantou and Olivier Gautrat.

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample.Wonderful expression of fruit, the aroma an explosion of floral-violet notes. Huge density on the palate, the tannins silky and very long. Lingers on the finish. Fresh, harmonious and definitely for the long haul. (JL) 14.6%Drink 2032– 2050

While the second wine (La Petit-Église q.v.) stole my heart with its precocity, elegance and sheer class, this Grand Vin is a very different proposition altogether. It has every single one of the attributes I seek out in a legendary wine. It is very possible that this might be one of the wines of the vintage (I am writing this note on the morning of day three of seven days of tasting)! Where do I start? It is hard to process this wine emotionally as it summons up memories of many of the greatest expressions of this noble estate and other monumental red Bordeaux of my life. While it employs a model Pomerol recipe, a darkness and intensity, presumably from the tiny berries in this vintage, have increased the power of the skin-derived components here. This is a life-altering wine with a stunning nose and a devastatingly delicious palate. The amplitude of flavour and length are both incredible, but they are controlled, marshalled, regimented and epically refreshing. Dynamic, vital, vibrant and enchanting, this is my idea of a perfect wine. I felt so moved when I left this tasting, knowing that I had been privileged to taste one of the very first samples of what will one day, I imagine, be regarded as a monumental wine. I am pretty sure that the Durantou Reilhac family sense the greatness in this wine, too, but they are far too modest to presume, and this decency underpins the integrity of this hallowed estate.

The 2022 L'Eglise-Clinet was picked from 3 to 9 September for the Merlot and the Cabernet Franc on 5 and 9 September, matured in 85% new oak. It has an exquisitely-defined bouquet with succinct floral, pressed iris and clay notes percolating through the black fruit. With breathtaking focus, these scents seem to cast a spell over you. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins that frame the mineral-laden, peppery black fruit. There's not a hair out of place, exuding the essence of this Pomerol estate with an exceptionally long, intense and paradoxically tender finish. It's a wine that may leave you spellbound...just like this barrel sample. 2032-2075

A L’Eglise Clinet with tension and class, with dark berries and chalk, salt and spice. There’s hazelnut and ripe seeds with coffee bean undertones. Full and wonderfully long and fresh.

Turns the intensity and exoticism of the vintage on its head, unpacking it carefully, and layering up depth and character. Grilled cedar, fleshy damson and casis fruits, this is all about carefully-considered and delivered juice and flavour. Intense, with balance and carefully-extracted juice, and the precision that you want at L'Eglise Clinet, even in such an ovewheming vintage. 85% new oak, harvest September 3 to 9. Noemie Durantou and Olivier Gautrat.