| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2015 La Petite Eglise, which is pure Merlot as usual, has a ripe and quite opulent bouquet that pays little heed to its deuxième cru status. It leaps from the glass with scents of black cherries, blueberry, kirsch and orange blossom, all very well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with an almost viscous opening and a level of concentration that many a self-aggrandizing Pomerol would be proud of. There is great depth here with layers of blackberry, raspberry coulis and light white pepper notes, a gentle grip on the finish and a long aftertaste. What a superb La Petite Eglise, perhaps the best that Denis has ever produced. Anticipated maturity: 2020 - 2033.
This pure merlot is so wonderful to taste now with violet, berry and chocolate character. It's full-bodied yet in check and balance. Lovely, enticing finish. Second wine of Eglise Clinet. Drink in 2020.
La Petite Eglise 2015 is 100% Merlot and is medium to deep garnet in color. It wafts out of the glass with a gorgeous perfume of dried roses, chocolate box, licorice, and underbrush, leading to a core of prunes and fruit cake, with a touch of dusty soil. Full-bodied, concentrated and with firm, grainy tannins, the palate is densely packed with flavors of black fruit preserves and finishes long and earthy.
Tasted blind. Dark crimson. High-toned ripe black fruit on the nose. More appetising than most of its peers even if it’s not the sweetest or plummiest. Dry, rather scratchy end.
Drink 2023-2032
Denis Durantou's "second wine" is a serious Pomerol in its own right, but at a fraction of the price of Eglise Clinet. Usually the best value wine in Pomerol. The 100% Merlot fruit is elevaged in 45% new oak barrels in the cellars of Eglise Clinet. Deep ruby colour with a spicy black cherry fruit nose. The palate is sweet and ripe with real density of forest fruits and significant levels of fine tannins. The core is juicy and lifted by flavours of flowers and cherry blossom. Silky, pure and long. Very good this year.
The second wine of Eglise Clinet, the 2015 La Petite Eglise is a pretty, elegant, even Burgundian, 2015 that opens up beautifully with time in the glass, Ripe red currants, cherries, sandalwood, cedary spice, and dried floral notes all emerge from this medium-bodied 2015 that has fine tannin and a great finish. It’s certainly not a blockbuster but excels on its finesse and elegance. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste the top cuvee from this estate. 2018 - 2028
Depth on the nose the mix of black frits is ripe. The palate is lush velvety and supple the mid richness balanced by underling bramble. Depth of sweet fruit on the back palate yet the finish has freshness fragrance and elegance. 2025-38
There’s very little to choose between the Grand Vin and the second wine at this stage, which
makes this something of a bargain. Rose petal and red fruit aromas are complemented by
fresh, grassy acidity, subtle oak and silky tannins. Lovely, focused Pomerol. Drink: 2022-30
The nose is a little muted and a little reticent and the palate is also shy and a few months behind where it normally
is at this time of year, but it is clear that this is a highly complex wine. As with the Grand Vin, Denis Durantou opened
two samples - a freshly taken sample and one from four days previous and even thought the assemblage has already
been made and the wine has been racked in February he explained that every barrel shows subtle differences and this
is apparent in these two samples. It is highly likely possible that this will be a mighty and particularly long-lived wine.
The 2015 La Petite Eglise is pure Merlot picked on 24 September at 41 hl/ha and matured in 45% new oak. It has a vivacious, precocious bouquet for a deuxième vin, kirsch and raspberry coulis, a touch of orange blossom. It is not an exotic bouquet, but it knows how to have fun. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, good depth in the mouth, perhaps just a little pinched on the finish at the moment, but it will have its fingers pried open by the end of its élevage. As such, give this a couple of years in bottle before broaching. Drink 2018-2030.
Only mid crimson. Quite gamey and fun. Very approachable. Attractive sweetness and spice but without the concentration of a great 2015. Easy and floral. Fun.
Drink 2020-2028
The nose is a little muted and a little reticent and the palate is also shy and a few months behind where it normally
is at this time of year, but it is clear that this is a highly complex wine. As with the Grand Vin, Denis Durantou opened
two samples - a freshly taken sample and one from four days previous and even thought the assemblage has already
been made and the wine has been racked in February he explained that every barrel shows subtle differences and this
is apparent in these two samples. It is highly likely possible that this will be a mighty and particularly long-lived wine.
