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Clos l'Eglise 2009

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Tasting Notes

The 2009 is one of the sexiest wines in Pomerol in this vintage, offering up notes of melted caramel, sweet mocha, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with hints of loamy soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco as well as a touch of white chocolate and some subtle toasty oak. Round, opulent and unctuously textured, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous purity, and no hard edges, this sumptuous, fleshy, lavishly rich Pomerol can be drunk now and over the next 25 years.

Starting with the resurrection of this property in 1998, I have long been a huge fan of Helene Garcin's older vintages of Clos l'Eglise, so I am hard-pressed to say that the 2009 Clos l'Eglise (virtually all Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc) could be any better than her brilliant efforts in such vintages as 2000, 2001 and 2005.

98
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

This has a fine, reserved but very well defined nose with pure blackcurrant and raspberry, developing some fine minerally notes with tie in the glass. Very fresh and vital. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced, just a little hardness on the entry at the moment but that will soften with time. Grippy tannins on the finish, much more backward than either the 2007 and 2008 with a tobacco laced focused finish. Impressive, but definitely a vin de garde Pomerol. Tasted March 2010.

93/95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010

Gorgeous blueberry and blackberry aromas, with toasted oak. Complex and pretty. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long flavorful finish. Very polished.

93/96
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010

Slightly tired sample but there is real interest here. Broad and layered. A little pruney but not excessively dry on the finish. Date tasted 29th March 2010. Drink 2016-2028.

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

This small 6 hectare Pomerol property is situated between Clinet and L'Eglise Clinet. Quality here used to be dreadful but under new ownership since the late 1990's, the wines now rank amongst the best in Pomerol. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, winemaking in 100% new oak is overseen by Alain Reynaud who recently sold his own Chateau, Quinault L'Enclos to Cheval Blanc. 1200 case production. Picked late September and early October. Really sweet on the nose with notes of Ribena and Vintage Port. Very big, fleshy and succulent but at this stage slightly overwhelmed by the aggressive oaky tannins.

94
Farr Vintners, November 2009

This rich, toasty, showy style boasts lots of flashy anise and espresso notes up front, but ample layers of crushed fig, steeped plum and dark mixed berry fruit behind it. Nice grip strides in on the finish, with a graphite spine adding serious length and definition. This has plenty of steak to match its sizzle. Best from 2015 through 2030.-J.M.

94
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider (Vol 8, 3), January 2012

Beautifully seamless wine. Voluptuous fruit. Smooth, silky tannins. Long, fresh finish. Drink 2018-2030.

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010
Read more tasting notes...

After the brilliant 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2005, I didn't think proprietor Helene Garcin and consulting winemaker Dr. Alain Raynaud could do any better, but the 2009 Clos l'Eglise may turn out to be superior to the aforementioned vintages. An extraordinary wine of compelling intensity, opulence, and breadth of flavor, it possesses a dark purple color as well as copious aromas of sweet mocha, coffee-infused blackberry and black cherry fruit, and no hint of oak. Fleshy and extravagantly rich with terrific purity and precision, it is a very full-bodied, powerful Pomerol that should drink well for 25+ years. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2010-2035.

Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

96/100
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.