France Bordeaux Ch. l'Eglise-Clinetl'Eglise Clinet

2011 l'Eglise Clinet

l'Eglise Clinet

93Average Score

Bordeaux / France

Red

Clearly one of the wines of the vintage 2011 Eglise Clinet is top class. Rich and full bodied. It has a seamless character and a lovely savoury aspect. The tanins are very fine and abundant with chinks of light glinting through the dense ripe fruit. Bravo!

FINE+RARE Score: 18/20

12x75cl	-	0 Immediate \| 8 Marketplace	£1,378.00
Bts	-	0 Immediate \| 22 Marketplace	£117.00
6x75cl	-	0 Immediate \| 27 Marketplace	£688.00

Scores + Notes

Average Score

Tasted at the property, Denis Durantou cannot really do wrong these days. The l’Eglise-Clinet 2011 was cropped between 12th and 15th September and the Cabernet Franc on 24th September, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc being aged in 80% new oak. The nose is very elegant bouquet once left to unfurl over 10 minutes. It offers dark cherry fruits with touches of cassis and minerals: all very refined and poised. The palate is very well balanced with great precision on the entry. The Merlot is very expressive this year. The tannins are supremely fine and the finish linear and strict, offering traces of briary and minerals. There is a lovely femininity and sense of drinkability about this harmonious l’Eglise-Clinet that should be a worthy follow-up to the heavenly 2010. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com

Neal MartinScore: 94-96/100

With a dense ruby/purple color is followed by a pure nose of mulberries, cherry liqueur and spring flowers, but no hint of oak, this full-bodied, opulent, rich beauty exhibits impressive purity, texture, richness and length. Not as structured or tannic as Trotanoy, it moves more in the direction of the opulence and flashy, showy fruit of Hosanna and Petrus. It should drink well for 15-20 years. Apr 2014, www.robertparker.com

Robert ParkerScore: 95/100

FINE+RAREScore: 18/20

Two samples: the first a touch oxidised and marked by oak. the second revealed the power, energy and density of this wine. A firm tannic frame underpins layers of rich, dark fruit. Possibly a 5-star wine down the line. Drink 2020-2040. Decanter.com

DecanterScore: 18/20

A balanced wine with lovely floral and berry character and hints of dark chocolate. Full body, with a creamy tannin structure and lovely length. Lively acidity. jamessuckling.com

James SucklingScore: 92-93/100

This is a step ahead of the pack, with concentration but gentle texture to the plum, cassis and linzer torte flavors, which are inlaid with black tea and singed fennel seed notes. Long and graceful through the finish, with latent depth. James Molesworth, WineSpectator.com

Wine SpectatorScore: 91-94/100

Elegant medium bodied Pomerol with nice flavours, lifted aromatics and lovely detail. The mid palate is lacking a bit of depth but there are subtle layers of flavour on the mid palate and the tannin texture is velvety. Moderate finish. AsianPalate.com

Jeannie Cho Lee MWScore: 89-91/100

About The Producer

The producer

Ch. l'Eglise-Clinet

Château L'Eglise-Clinet is one of the most unassuming addresses in Bordeaux. You'd probably drive past it if you didn't have prior knowledge of its vinous output. There's no ostentatious gateway nor sweeping gravel drive. Instead there's a modest farmhouse. While the property has been in the Durantou family for generations, Denis’s grandparents were not interested in managing the property and from 1941 up until 1983 it was leased out to and managed by nearby Ch. Clos René.

In 1982 Denis Durantou returned to the family estate and took back control renovating both the vineyards and the winery. His influence was quickly recognised with a sharp upswing in the quality of the wine from the 1985 vintage onwards. The long-term efforts in the vineyards really came into fruition in the last 20 years, which saw Ch. L’Eglise-Clinet go from an unknown, neglected site in Pomerol to one of the most consistent and celebrated estates in the appellation.

2014: THE F+R PICKS. FEYTIT-CLINET

We have been fans of this tiny Pomerol estate for a few years now. Jeremy Chasseuil produces very small quantities of quite brilliant wines, very much in a Burgundian style, yet remains under the radar for many despite the unquestionable quality. This year Feytit-Clinet was our last visit of the week, and was preceded by tastings at Lafleur, Le Pin ...

ON April 27, 2015

2014 Bordeaux: GPL, Feytit-Clinet and the Perse selection

Yesterday afternoon saw the release of 2014 Grand-Puy-Lacoste. This was one of our favourite wines of the vintage, and at GBP 375 per dozen in bond it looks good, though one can buy the 2008 and the 2006 for a similar sum. Whatever one might think of the price, the wine is excellent: pure Pauillac, complete and fresh. This morning sees ...

ON May 19, 2015

2018 En Primeur Release of Pomerol's Chateau Belle-Brise

The 2018 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign reached new heights this week with the surprise release of one of Saint-Emilion’s top estates - Chateau Angelus. As well as offering a pleasing reduction in price versus their last two vintages, this welcome surprise set the tone for potentially one of the most exciting En Primeur campaigns ever. Last week our first releases ...

ON April 18, 2019

Pomerol: Small but Beautiful

Bordeaux: the foundation of any cellar. The greatest, and most famous wine producing region in the world. The heart of fine wine production. These are all arguable. And, conveniently, there is rather a lot of it. The average left bank chateau will have an annual production of up to 20,000 cases per year, and barrel cellars the size of football ...

ON June 27, 2014

A Pomerol Evening with Neal Martin

On Wednesday night we were privileged to have the company of Neal Martin at a small dinner in the private room of the brilliant Chez Bruce. The theme was, of course, Pomerol and Neal’s recently published book on the region. Wine and food first. The aim of the wine selection was to be eclectic rather than simply aiming for the ...

ON March 15, 2013

Product Details

Country

France

Region

Bordeaux

Sub-region

Pomerol

Colour

Red

Taste

Dry

Alcohol %

14%

Product Type

Still wine

Product Subtype

Drinking Window