Clos L'Eglise

It is an incredible charmer, evoking immediate pleasure and certain seduction. When it reveals its elegance, its roundness, its opulence it pays tribute to its origins, rare and inimitable. Clos l’Eglise is a philanthropist who leaves behind, on meeting, the persistent memory of a tender emotion.

2020 Vintage - Top 100 Wines of 2023 by Jeb Dunnuck

2010

Wine Advocate 95: Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Clos l'Eglise leaps from the glass with vivacious baked raspberries, warm red and black plums and dried herbs notes plus wafts of pencil shavings and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has impressive energy with a firm line of chewy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with loads of zip in its step.

James Suckling 98: This is the Clos L’Eglise that takes it all to another level with incredible brightness and focus. Full-bodied yet racy and so long. It goes on for minutes with the violets, lavender and hot stones. Pomerol magic.

Vinous 95: The 2010 Clos l'Eglise has a slightly reductive nose that soon blows off to reveal ample red and black fruit melted tar and black truffle scents. The palate is velvety smooth on the entry, displaying a fine bead of acidity and supremely well-integrated oak. This is a classy, seductive Pomerol that lingers long in the mouth. Superb.

2020

Wine Advocate 93: Aromas of ripe plums and raspberries mingled with hints of rose petals and toasty new oak preface the 2020 Clos l'Eglise, a medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping wine with a broad attack that segues into a fleshy core of fruit, with powdery extract asserting itself on the youthfully chewy finish.

James Suckling 96: This has a pretty nose of chocolate, praline, blueberries, lavender and bramble berries. It’s medium-bodied with firm, compact tannins. Firm and focused with an enticing bitter chocolate character throughout. Some smoked wood. Intense and tightly wound. Opens on the palate. Try in 2027.

Vinous 96: The 2020 Clos L'Eglise is not as showy as it was from barrel, perhaps because of its recent bottling. Bright red-toned fruit, spice, mint, blood orange and rose petal are all laced together. En primeur, Clos L'Eglise was quite powerful, but I see more finesse today. Even so, this is one of the most concentrated Clos L'Eglises ever, since surpassed by the 2022, though!

Decanter 94: Inky ruby colour, a muscular big-styled Pomerol which will win plenty of friends. Velvety tannins, great persistency, confident, contemporary and deftly walks the line between concentrated and nuanced.

2021

Wine Advocate 91-93: The fleshiest, most dramatic wine in the Garçin-Léveque portfolio is the 2021 Clos l'Eglise, a medium to full-bodied, broad and velvety Pomerol that evokes notions of sweet cherries, berries, plums, raw cocoa and petals. Layered and seamless, it's derived from a 5.98-hectare vineyard opposite Eglise-Clinet that's planted with 80% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc.

James Suckling 94: Smoky berries, plums, oranges and grilled tarragon, herbs and white pepper. Fine-grained tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate before a lengthy finish. Drink or hold.

Vinous 94: The 2021 Clos l’Église is an attractive, refined Pomerol. Crushed flowers, spice, red/purplish berry fruit, orange peel, new leather and mocha are all finely delineated.

2023

James Suckling 95-96: A very tight and focused red with racy tannins and a linear, racy texture. It’s medium-bodied with excellent energy and plenty of blackberry and olive flavors. Very long finish. 14% alcohol. 3.7 pH. 70% merlot and 30% cabernet franc.