2018 Eglise Clinet

98 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 L'Eglise Clinet has a 3.63 pH and 14.5% alcohol. It was aged in 70% new barriques. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with a stunning fragrant-earth perfume, accented by notions of wild mushrooms, mossy tree bark and crushed rocks, giving way to a core of black raspberries, plum preserves and fresh blueberries, plus wafts of lavender and clove oil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with energy, delivering slow-releasing black fruit and earthy layers, framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and fantastic tension. It finishes with epic length and subtlety. It is already so evocative and beautifully expressed at this youthful stage that is tempting to broach straight away, but give it another 5-6 years to really fan its feathers, and drink it over the next 40 or more years.

98 POINTS

James Suckling

Blue and black fruit with spices and licorice on the nose. Graphite, too. Full and dense, but compact on the palate, with a plush yet tight, velvety texture and a long, fantastic finish. Needs four to six year to start to open. Better after 2027.

98 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2018 La Petite Eglise is every bit as impressive as it was from barrel. Readers will find a very serious second wine endowed with considerable heft and gravitas. Dark plum, graphite, new leather and menthol open with a bit of time, but the 2018 is a wine to put away in the cellar for at least a few years. La Petite Eglise is not going to be easy to find, as yields were down 60%. The blend is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

97 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 L’Eglise-Clinet was picked from September 18 to 26 for the Merlot and September 28 for the the Cabernet Franc, and matured in 70% new oak. I gave the bottle a precautionary four-hour decant, which was vital in appreciating this magnificent Pomerol. The aromatics are precocious, pure and finely chiseled, featuring copious black plum and blueberry plus heart-melting violet petal scents. The palate closely approximates the barrel sample with its stunning precision and symmetry. Velvety-smooth from start to finish, this will turn into a fabulous wine from the late Denis Durantou, though be warned: I suspect it might close down for a period after bottling.