2023 Clos l'Eglise (Pomerol)

The 2023 Clos l'Église is potent and explosive in the glass. It offers up copious black fruit, graphite, leather, incense, tobacco and dried herbs. Aromatic and punchy, with tons of energy, the 2023 dazzles with its tension and energy. Readers will find a decidedly exotic, heady Pomerol with tons of structure.

The 2023 Clos l'Église has impressive purity on the nose with black plum, touches of blueberry and pastille-like scents, actually a little more Saint-Émilion-like than I remember from barrel. I suspect that will develop with time. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins on the entry. Dense black fruit, touches of licorice and more saline notes toward the structured finish. Perhaps this has gone into its shell more than others, it just needs time.

Chocolate mint, flowers, plums, truffle, black cherries, licorice, and herbs create the aromatic profile. The palate is even better with its layers of silky, sensuous, velvety fruits that linger. The finish is all about the sexy, chocolate-drenched, sweet, elegant plums. The wine is deep, concentrated, opulent, and sexy. Picture molten dark chocolate-coated, black plums coating your palate with lingering, sweet, fresh, lifted fruits that stick with you. The harvest took place September 12-13 for the Merlot and October 1 for the Cabernet Franc. The blend is 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc, making this the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever used in the blend. 14% ABV 3.7 pH.