2023 Clos du Clocher
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Tasting notes
Flowers, plums, blackberries, truffle, black cherries, dark chocolate, smoke, and espresso show readily in the nose, The palate is lush, supple, creamy, and vibrant, with silky tannins, length, and loads of ripe, black cherries, blue fruit, that are all accompanied by dark chocolate. Harvesting took place September 5 - October 4, making this one of the longest harvests in the history of the estate. The wine blends 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc. 13.9% ABV, 3.58 pH.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, Clos du Clocher 2023 has a pH of 3.57. It was harvested in three passes, between the 5th of September and the 3rd of October. It has a deep garnet-purple color and after a couple of swirls the nose bursts with flamboyant scents of roses and violets, giving way to a core of wild blueberries and juicy plums, plus hints of underbrush and iron ore. The medium-bodied palate is densely laden with bright black and blue fruit layers, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and beautifully knit freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
This solid, structured Pomerol boasts a very tight and focused palate of fruit and chewy tannins, yet it remains polished and focused. This has a real sense of provenance.
The 2023 Clos du Clocher was picked from September 5 until October 4 and contains a little more Cabernet Franc, as Jean-Baptiste Audi deselected some of the Merlot on the plateau. Matured in 55% new oak, it has a floral, iris-flower-scented bouquet with blackberry, briar and light earthy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannins on the entry, mainly black rather than red fruit, fine grip and a gritty texture toward the slightly herbaceous finish from the Cabernet Franc. This is a bit of a broad-shouldered Clos du Clocher; it will require some bottle age to shave its edges.
About the producer
Clos du Clocher is a Pomerol estate owned by the Bourotte family of the négociant Jean-Baptiste Audy. In the heart of the famous Pomerol plateau, under the shadow of the eponymous church bell tower, this 5.9-hectare estate is home to some truly ancient vines that produce tremendous wine.