Chateau L´Eglise Clinet 2017

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 L'Eglise Clinet begins a little closed and broody, soon unfurling to reveal powerful notes of baked black plums, chocolate-covered cherries and blueberry preserves with hints of chargrill, mocha and aniseed plus a touch of tar. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is a powerhouse of crunchy, vibrant black fruit, framed by wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and savory. Bravo!"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Extremely enticing aromas of blackberries, brambleberries, sweet tobacco, bark and mushrooms follow through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate and crescendoes to medium, round tannins, juicy fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Rolls along the palate. Excellent, persistent finish. Try after 2024, but already a joyous glass."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, L’Eglise-Clinet 2017 has a deep garnet-purple color. Wow – it starts off with a very impressive, showy nose of black cherry compote, black raspberries, and warm black plums, plus suggestions of black truffles, underbrush, and lilacs. Full-bodied, the palate bursts with expressive black fruit preserves and floral layers, supported by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and incredibly fragrant."

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes Purpurgranat. Was für ein Elixier mit reifen Waldhimbeeren gepaart mit einem Strauss von Veilchen. Im zweiten Ansatz schwarze Johannisbeeren, Ebenholz und Lakritze. Am royalen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur und engmaschigem Körper, man spürt die unbändige Kraft und ist von der unglaublichen mineralischen Tiefe dieses Pomerol magisch angezogen. Im gebündelten Finale ein Crescendo von Brombeeren, Virginiatabak und gerösteten Himbeerkernen sowie zarter Adstringenz. Nichts für Ungeduldige, denn der wird noch zulegen! «Just enough bottles for my friends», flüsterte mir Denis während den Primeurs leise zu. Da kann sich jeder glücklich schätzen, der hiervon ein paar Flaschen ergattern konnte!"

DECANTER: "For me, this is one of the successes of the vintage in Pomerol, although not fully escaping the roadblocks of 2017. There is a real sense of precision and elegance here, with floral, violet aromatics and a note of liquorice, and it deals its power in a measured way, one hand at a time - it's a wine to sit with and enjoy. There was no frost at this estate. The Merlot was picked between 12-22 September, and the Cabernet Franc on 22 September. The 70% new oak is a touch present on the close of play, but those tannins are pliable and enjoyable, promising to cradle the fruit for the long haul. Drinking Window 2027 - 2038"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Truffle, smoke, tobacco and red fruits are at the core of this wine. On the palate, there is a concentration of flavor. The wine has lift and power but there is a firmness to the tannins in this vintage that will need time to soften before they will captivate the pleasure seeking consumer. The wine was made from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.68."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Very lush, with warmed fig, plum and blackberry preserve flavors rolling through, laced with ganache, alder and espresso notes. A tarry edge frames the finish, where the fruit drips slowly. For the hedonist crowd. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2022 through 2038."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, verschlossen, aber mit purer Blaubeerfrucht, schwarze Kirschen, sehr präzise. Elegant dunkle Beerenfrucht, körniges, aber im Körper gut eingebundenes Tannin, kraftvoll, eher dezente Säure, noble Adstringenz im Abgang, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Black core with purple crimson rim. A hint of oak char on the nose but underneath that is pure black fruit and a creamy character. Smooth and rounded on the palate, the fruit and the oak already well melded. The finish is darker and more savoury, the oak char closing the circle. But the harmony is very good. Not as charming as La Petite Église but longer-term in potential."