2003 Clos l'Eglise (Cotes de Castillon)
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Tasting notes
The 2003 Clos L'Eglise shows the difficulties of this extreme vintage with Merlot (and in particular, in Pomerol), offering overripe, plummy, fig fruits, chocolaty, spicy aromas and flavors, medium to full-bodied richness and a touch of dry tannins. Nevertheless, it has good mid-palate density and solid concentration as well as impressive length on the finish. It's not getting any better, but it still has charm. Drink up.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Incredible floral character on the nose with violets and mushrooms. Medium body, super fine tannins and a linear finish. Shows focus and finesse. Love the balance. Nothing to do with the very hot vintage.
An indelible signature of heat to the fruit here – rich, jammy – as if force-fed. There is technical balance and a pleasant liquorice aftertaste but you can’t help feel as if the best of this wine was burned away on the vine. (RH)
Pomerol was one of the weakest appellations in the 2003 vintage, and the Clos l’Eglise exhibits caramelized notes, a superficial mouthfeel, red currants and cherries. Drink it up.