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.

2004

Wine Advocate 91: Made in a very forward style, the 2004 Clos l’Eglise offers sweet mocha-infused black raspberry and chocolate cherry-like fruit in its intense aromatics. In the mouth, it is pure silk, medium-bodied, and beautifully concentrated with no hard edges. Filled with sensual fruit, glycerin, and body, this is a delicious, food and consumer-friendly, complex Pomerol that should drink beautifully for 12-14 years.

2005

Wine Advocate 96: The talented and charming Sylvie Garcin runs this tiny property of 15 acres, planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% new oak. The 2005 is dense ruby/purple, with notes of smoky barbecue, crushed blackcurrants and jammy cherries, with some licorice and earth in the background (truffle?). This full-bodied, multi-dimensional, full-throttle and concentrated Pomerol is top class. This is a great example of the vintage and of this beautiful terroir not far from Pomerol’s church. Approachable now, it will even improve for another 5-10 years and drink well for at least two more decades.

James Suckling 95: This is wonderfully vivid and bright with black-olive skin, violets and lavender. Licorice, too. Full-bodied, tight and chewy. Very layered and refined. Focused and compressed. A wonderfully aromatic wine. Just opening now.

2006

Wine Advocate 92: Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London and then at the château, the 2006 Clos l'Eglise has an attractive, quite opulent bouquet with blueberry and crème de cassis aromas tinged with black truffle and violets. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin, good acidity, grippy in the mouth and substantial weight on the finish. If it can evolve more finesse on the finish, this will be a very satisfying Pomerol, so afford it another 3-4 years in bottle. Tasted March 2016.

James Suckling 95: Aromas of green olives, walnuts, hazelnuts and a hint of cedar. Medium-to full-bodied and compact with a pretty center palate. Very long and beautiful finish. Under the radar.

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.

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.