| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
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. Since its debut in 2004, this has always been a 100% Merlot cuvée and has come from fruit harvested on sandier soils. However in 2018, a lot of the Merlot vines were dug up and 20% Cabernet Franc from the young vines of Eglise Clinet have been added to the blend. Only 400 cases will be produced, aged in 35% new oak in the cellars of L'Eglise Clinet.
Plenty of crushed berries, cherries and plums, as well as fresh-mushroom and walnut undertones. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Beautiful second wine of L’Eglise Clinet. Drink after 2025.
Produced by the late Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet, the 2018 La Petite Eglise is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with 35% new oak and 14.5% alcohol. This is the first time Cabernet Franc was used in the blend and the first time younger vines from L'Eglise Clinet were used. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes galloping out of the glass with scents of tilled soil, licorice and black truffles, opening out to a core of baked plums, boysenberries and kirsch, plus a touch of woodsmoke. The medium to full-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, supported by plush tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick. Drink: 2022-2037
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc (young vines); 35% new oak. First year with Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample.
Black core with crimson rim. Dark, savoury and chewy. The fruit is dense rather than aromatic. Pretty introvert even with all this power or perhaps because of the power; thick tannins but smoothed on the finish. (JH) 14.5%
Drink 2025-2032
Deep ruby in colour. The nose is plump and fleshy, with milk chocolate, black cherries and plums. The palate is chalky and dense, the creamy vanilla and toasty oak pairing perfectly with the crunchy, ripe black fruits and vibrant acidity. This is plump and round on the finish with good refinement and a savoury graphite edge.
Getting the younger vines from l'Eglise Clinet, the 2018 La Petite Eglise is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 35% new French oak. Black cherries, tobacco leaf, some earth, and graphite notes all emerge from the glass, and it's elegant and rich at the same time. Nicely balanced, medium to full-bodied, with fine tannins and no hard edges, it's another terrific wine from this estate I’d be happy to drink.
(80 Merlot, 20 Cabernet Franc) | 35% new oak | 14.5% alc | 4900 bottles were produced Civilised and controlled on the nose by contrast to the satellite commune wines in Denis Durantou’s portfolio, this is a polished and elegant wine with considerable depth of fruit and class and it has a rich core of juiciness which the tannins have sunk their teeth into. Impressive and long-lived this is a shockingly good wine.
This is very tight and long for Petite Église with a very compact and focused palate. Medium-to full-bodied, compressed palate with ripe tannins that are firm and fresh.
Produced by Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet, the 2018 La Petite Eglise is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with 35% new oak and 14.5% alcohol. This is the first time Cabernet Franc was used in the blend and the first time younger vines from L'Eglise Clinet were used. Deep purple-black in color, the nose is boldly scented of baked plums, Black Forest cake and kirsch with suggestions of forest floor, cinnamon stick, fertile loam and sautéed herbs with a waft of roses. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with fragrant black fruit preserves, textured by ripe, rounded tannins and finishes long and perfumed.
