2018 Clos L'Eglise

Qty:

From the critics:

96 JS

95 RP

95 AG

94 JD

92 WS

A round-textured and layered young Pomerol with berry, plum, chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, plush and luscious on so many levels. Try after 2026, when it tightens up.

James Suckling | 96 JS

The 2018 Clos l’Eglise is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with energetic scents of Morello cherries, fresh black plums, boysenberries and lavender, plus underlying nuances of crushed rocks, woodsmoke and black truffles. The full-bodied palate is packed with perfumed black fruit, supported by ripe, velvety tannins and tons of freshness, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RP

The 2018 Clos L’Eglise is dense and powerful to the core. The tannins are equally forbidding, suggesting the 2018 is going to need a number of years to be at its best. Heat and mildew resulted in an unusually deep Clos L’Eglise. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, spice and gravel open with a bit of coaxing. Readers have to be patient here.

Antonio Galloni | 95 AG

A pretty, elegant wine from this terroir, the 2018 Château Clos L’Eglise reveals a ruby/purple color as well as smoking good notes of black cherries, blueberries, white truffle, damp earth, and a little bit of iron and bloodiness that emerge with time in the glass. With medium to full-bodied richness on the palate, it has ripe tannins, a balanced texture, and just a ripe yet elegant, fleshy profile. Give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 10-15 years.

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JD

Enticing, with macerated fig and plum notes forming the core while dark tea and savory notes course underneath. Hints of wet stone and charcoal echo at the very end. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2032. 1,665 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 92 WS

This has the sensuous, easy generosity and exuberance of Pomerol offering soft tannins at first, but with grip as they close in through the palate, alongside seductive chocolate notes with liquorice on the finish. There was a big gap in harvesting between the Merlot on 19/20 September and Cabernet Franc on 10 October, as it had to ripen after blockages, but they were able to be patient and got to the full ripeness.Drinking Window 2026 - 2038

Decanter | 92 DEC

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice. The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion	Right Bank
Appellation	Pomerol

Producer	Chateau Clos L'Eglise : With only 800 hectares under vine, Pomerol is considered the smallest of all major winegrowing appellations in Bordeaux. The old adage proves true however, that good things do come in small packages. With approximately 150 proprietors, parcels of land are highly prized and extremely coveted. Pomerol is home to some of the most highly esteemed and sought after wines in the world; tremendous quality, limited production and high demand makes this one of the world’s most collectible wine provinces. Nestled behind its walled vineyards, the original farmhouse build in the 18th century of Chateau Clos L’Eglise proudly sits on beloved and highly desired terroir. The 5.9-hectare vineyard of Clos L’Eglise is planted to 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc. These varietals thrive in terroir filled with rich clay and gravel-based soil with iron deposits located on a sloping hill. Their famous neighbors include Chateau Clinet, Chateau L’Eglise Clinet and Chateau Trotanoy. To say the local terroir is tremendous would be an understatement. The Moreau family, who were well versed in Pomerol and also the owners of Chateau Plince, would bring Clos L’Eglise into the modern era. In 1975 the property and wine making facilities of Clos L’Eglise were completely redesigned and modernized. The Moreau family then expanded the vineyard to its current size by utilizing land already owned and being used for pasture. A large percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon vines were ripped out and replaced with Merlot. This would make a tremendous impact on the quality and style of the wines moving forward. In 1997 the Right Bank estate took another step forward when it was sold to Sylviane Garcin Cathiard, sister to Daniel Cathiard who owns the mighty Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. Her ambition was quickly noticed as changes at the estate began to rapidly take place. Cathiard’s daughter, Helene Garcin was placed in charge of managing the property, Michel Rolland was hired as consultant and major renovations commenced. The facilities were once again modernized due to their aging state, the replacement of concrete vats was commissioned and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon vines were ripped out and replanted to Merlot. Today, Clos L’Eglise is one of the most recognized names in Pomerol with an annual production of close to only 2,400 cases. Clos L’Eglise is a wine that demands patience but is rewarded with a rich, full-bodied wine that expresses ripe plums, chocolate and floral characteristics with a deep, concentrated, lush texture. Eight to ten years of bottle age is required before it can express its true potential and will age gracefully for up to 30 years. The property has a second wine named Esprit de L’Eglise.