| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Denis Durantou made stunning, age-worthy wines here, from 1983 until his untimely death in 2020. Since the breakthrough 1985 vintage, L'Eglise Clinet has invariably matched or beaten all the top names of Pomerol in blind tastings at Southwold and elsewhere. Denis' right-hand man, Olivier Gautrat, had worked with him every day for over two decades and continues the Durantou wine-making philosophy. Noémie and Constance Durantou continue and uphold their father's legacy. Produced from 40 year old vines over 4.2 hectares, picked when ripe but never late. Old vines, great terroir and inspired, yet traditional, wine-making. As our blind tastings have proved over and over again, this is one of the top wines of the Pomerol appellation and a genuine rival of neighbours Pétrus and Lafleur.
Once again L'Eglise Clinet defies the vintage with exceptional density and depth. The 13.8% ABV was achieved without chaptalisation - a rare feat in 2024. It is 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Picked from September 21st to 28th. Maturation in 85% new oak. Yield 42 hl/ha.
The 2024 L'Eglise-Clinet was picked on September 21, 23 and 24 apropos the Merlot and September 23, 24 and 28 for the Cabernet Franc, which constitutes 10% of the blend. It matured in 85% new oak (90% Darnajou and 10% Taransaud). This takes time to unfurl generous black cherry, mint and cassis aromas that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with chiseled tannins that frame the mineral-driven black fruit. It's not the most powerful L'Eglise-Clinet I have ever tasted at this stage, but you have to admire the manner in which this just builds toward the finish whilst retaining poise and tension. The 2024 is a wonderful Pomerol that will age effortlessly in bottle. 2030 - 2060
Impressively deep purple in colour, the nose is tightly coiled, mineral and ripe with cool blackcurrant fruit on this year's Eglise Clinet. The palate too is pristine and like a coiled spring, very focused with intense dark fruit. This is a wine endowed with power yet it is not over-extracted. A real feat in 2024; the ripeness is not usual in this vintage. Very long, athletic with muscular bones. A wine that speaks to the heart of the place. Very precise and powerful. Excellent.
Really impressive concentration for the vintage with dusty tannins that give density and intensity. Medium-bodied, this shows dark fruit and chocolate plus walnut and hazelnut undertones. Juicy and flavorful but always in reserve. Winemaker Noemie Durantou Reilhac likens it to the 2015 but with finesse. 90% merlot and the rest cabernet franc.
Deep garnet-purple colored. After a little shaking, notes of fresh red currants, black cherries, and boysenberries jump from the glass, giving way to touches of spearmint, lilac, and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound and superbly graceful with firm, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and layered. Nicely done!
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc.
Elegant, slow unrolling of black fruit flavours, beautiful precision, get a lot of fennel here, even a touch of marzipan, coffee grounds, savoury and juicy, black fruits, cassis and blueberry, violets, powdery rose petals. This is just exceptional within the vintage, such a deeply felt and deeply chiselled wine, and I can unhesitatingly recommend. No chaptilisation, 3.59ph, 85% new oak. Harvest September 21 to 28, 45hl/h yield, Noëmie Durantou winemaker and co-owner. Clearly will age with elegance and finesse. Red wine of the vintage for me.
The 2024 L'Eglise-Clinet is brilliant and intensely aromatic in its first impression. Vibrant red-toned fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, cedar and rose petal soar from the glass. Readers will find a vertical, explosive L'Eglise-Clinet that impresses with its poise and balance. The 2024 deftly marries finesse and power to a degree I have seldom seen here in the past. Superb. 2034 - 2054
The 2024 L'Eglise Clinet reveals a dark, brooding, gently reductive bouquet of incense, dark berries, smoke and oak mingled with floral accents of iris. Medium-bodied, layered and firm, it's built around tangy acids, with a lively mid-palate framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the spicy, youthfully chewy finish. This blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc will mature in 85% new oak.
