Château L’Église-Clinet
About Château L’Église-Clinet
A minuscule estate in the heart of Pomerol, a mere 3.5 hectares were in production until 2020, and in some vintages, L’Église-Clinet produces less wine than the microscopic Le Pin. Rare, exceptional and famous – a deadly triumvirate of characteristics that have conspired to make this one of the most in-demand labels anywhere.
Viniculture
Arriving in 1982, Durantou presided over a monumental restructuring of the vineyards here, uprooting the vast majority of his Merlot vines to change to different rootstock he felt was “not too vigorous”. Lying between the cemetery and the church from which the property derives its name, the vineyards of L’Église-Clinet are planted to 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Split into four distinct plots, there is an abundance of classic Pomerol clay here, alongside a few deep veins of gravel. A staunch purist, Durantou (and now his children) was of the strong opinion that Cabernet Sauvignon was for the Left Bank!
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 2 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£693.58 |
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James Suckling (98)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. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£1,034.18 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)One of the blockbusters in the vintage is Denis Durantou's 2018 Château L'Eglise Clinet, which is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts an awesome, full-bodied, opulent personality as well as classic Pomerol notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, tobacco, and flowers. Rich, concentrated, and sexy, yet not over the top in any way, it expands on the palate, has sweet tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It already offers pleasure yet won't hit prime time for another 7-8 years and is going to evolve for 25-30 years or more, and probably have a gradual decline after that. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 99 (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£1,456.18 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)One of the blockbusters in the vintage is Denis Durantou's 2018 Château L'Eglise Clinet, which is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts an awesome, full-bodied, opulent personality as well as classic Pomerol notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, tobacco, and flowers. Rich, concentrated, and sexy, yet not over the top in any way, it expands on the palate, has sweet tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It already offers pleasure yet won't hit prime time for another 7-8 years and is going to evolve for 25-30 years or more, and probably have a gradual decline after that. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (JD) |
Inc. VAT
£1,025.98 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)One of the blockbusters in the vintage is Denis Durantou's 2018 Château L'Eglise Clinet, which is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts an awesome, full-bodied, opulent personality as well as classic Pomerol notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, tobacco, and flowers. Rich, concentrated, and sexy, yet not over the top in any way, it expands on the palate, has sweet tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It already offers pleasure yet won't hit prime time for another 7-8 years and is going to evolve for 25-30 years or more, and probably have a gradual decline after that. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WCI) |
Inc. VAT
£221.20 |
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The Wine Cellar Insider (100)The last vintage produced by Pomerol legend, Denis Durantou, (who sadly passed away May 2020), is one of his best. A testament to his devotion to his vineyards, the wine explodes with a gorgeous set of aromatics packed with flowers, chocolate, truffle, plums, black cherries, and wet earth. But it is on the palate where the magic takes place. Incredibly concentrated, rich, ostentations, silky and vibrant, the wine offers incredible purity to the fruit, which is a good thing because the finish is not something you want to lose sight of, as its showy display of chocolate-tinged, dark red fruits, licorice, spice, and black cherries lingers, builds and expands. Built to age and evolve, give it some time in the cellar and enjoy it for 3 decades with ease. This is exactly the type of wine Denis Durantou truly loved making. Owners of this beauty should toast him and his years of work at L'Eglise Clinet. I know I will. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WCI) |
Inc. VAT
£1,359.58 |
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The Wine Cellar Insider (100)The last vintage produced by Pomerol legend, Denis Durantou, (who sadly passed away May 2020), is one of his best. A testament to his devotion to his vineyards, the wine explodes with a gorgeous set of aromatics packed with flowers, chocolate, truffle, plums, black cherries, and wet earth. But it is on the palate where the magic takes place. Incredibly concentrated, rich, ostentations, silky and vibrant, the wine offers incredible purity to the fruit, which is a good thing because the finish is not something you want to lose sight of, as its showy display of chocolate-tinged, dark red fruits, licorice, spice, and black cherries lingers, builds and expands. Built to age and evolve, give it some time in the cellar and enjoy it for 3 decades with ease. This is exactly the type of wine Denis Durantou truly loved making. Owners of this beauty should toast him and his years of work at L'Eglise Clinet. I know I will. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,775.98 |
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James Suckling (98-99)Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£853.75 |
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James Suckling (98-99)Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,257.49 |
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James Suckling (98-99)Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 97-98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,147.03 |
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James Suckling (97-98)Medium-bodied with very fine-textured tannins. Delicious sweet and salty and mineral character. Blackberries, violets, cloves and dark olives. Peaches, too. All focused, fresh and in balance. Long, seamless finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97-98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£282.26 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Medium-bodied with very fine-textured tannins. Delicious sweet and salty and mineral character. Blackberries, violets, cloves and dark olives. Peaches, too. All focused, fresh and in balance. Long, seamless finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 97-98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,437.35 |
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James Suckling (97-98)Medium-bodied with very fine-textured tannins. Delicious sweet and salty and mineral character. Blackberries, violets, cloves and dark olives. Peaches, too. All focused, fresh and in balance. Long, seamless finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,012.79 |
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James Suckling (100)Wonderful aromas of crushed violets and wisteria as well as black-truffle undertones and blueberries. Medium- to full-bodied, this has a beautiful center palate and an endless finish. It’s so polished and refined with breathtaking length that caresses every inch of the finish. A masterpiece for the vintage. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Try after 2030 and beyond. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 98+ (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£266.33 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98+)Rich, layered and dynamic in the glass, the 2023 L'Eglise-Clinet is outrageously beautiful. Inky red/purplish fruit, spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco open in the glass. The 2023 shows terrific finesse. It's a wine of tremendous power and reserve, with soaring aromatics, mind-blowing balance, layered depth, boundless energy and a real sense of tension. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 98+ (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£1,439.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98+)Rich, layered and dynamic in the glass, the 2023 L'Eglise-Clinet is outrageously beautiful. Inky red/purplish fruit, spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco open in the glass. The 2023 shows terrific finesse. It's a wine of tremendous power and reserve, with soaring aromatics, mind-blowing balance, layered depth, boundless energy and a real sense of tension. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£128.80 |
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James Suckling (92-93)Best second wine in a long time from here. This is so focused with amazing fruit and flowers. Full bodied, with firm tannins and a long, long finish. Best second wine of L'Eglise Clinet since 1995. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 90 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£216.72 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (90)The 2013 La Petite Eglise, which Denis Durantou poured from magnum since this is how the entire production was bottled, has a precise and fragrant bouquet with crushed stone scents filtering through the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, tensile and fresh in the mouth, not powerful or deep, but lively and playful from start to finish. This is worth seeking out. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£283.24 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (91)The 2014 La Petite Eglise, pure Merlot picked on 3 October, is always a little gem and probably deserves more respect from cognoscenti. It has a gorgeously pure bouquet with ebullient red berry fruit, perhaps showing now more blue fruit, since I last tasted it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin, pure red cherry and strawberry coulis intermingled with cold stone and a touch of blood orange. There is wonderful precision on the finish. This is just superb and doubtless great value. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£97.60 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)Denis Durantou's 2015 La Petite Eglise is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Classy, polished and super-refined in every way, the Petite Eglise is all class. The bright red cherry, hard candy, mint and rose petal notes are beautifully delineated throughout. Even with all of its obvious fruit density, the 2015 remains light on its feet and gracious. There is no question Petite Eglise is one of the best second wines in 2015. Actually, Petite Eglise is not really a terrific second wine, it is simply a gorgeous Pomerol. That's all there is to it. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 93 (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£240.95 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)The 2017 La Petite Eglise is poweful and rich in the glass. Dark purplish berry fruit, charcoal, licorice, clove and lavender are some of the many nuances that infuse the 2017 with its distinctly somber personality. Unctuous and racy in feel, with superb density, the 2017 is a decidedly extroverted Pomerol. Tasting it from bottle, I have the same impression I did en primeur: it is easily better than many top bottlings. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£558.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)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. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (JD) |
In Bond
£848.50 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)One of the blockbusters in the vintage is Denis Durantou's 2018 Château L'Eglise Clinet, which is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts an awesome, full-bodied, opulent personality as well as classic Pomerol notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, tobacco, and flowers. Rich, concentrated, and sexy, yet not over the top in any way, it expands on the palate, has sweet tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It already offers pleasure yet won't hit prime time for another 7-8 years and is going to evolve for 25-30 years or more, and probably have a gradual decline after that. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 3 | 99 (JD) |
In Bond
£1,193.50 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)One of the blockbusters in the vintage is Denis Durantou's 2018 Château L'Eglise Clinet, which is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts an awesome, full-bodied, opulent personality as well as classic Pomerol notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, tobacco, and flowers. Rich, concentrated, and sexy, yet not over the top in any way, it expands on the palate, has sweet tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It already offers pleasure yet won't hit prime time for another 7-8 years and is going to evolve for 25-30 years or more, and probably have a gradual decline after that. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (JD) |
In Bond
£835.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)One of the blockbusters in the vintage is Denis Durantou's 2018 Château L'Eglise Clinet, which is a normal blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in 70% new French oak. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts an awesome, full-bodied, opulent personality as well as classic Pomerol notes of blackcurrants, black cherries, damp earth, chocolate, tobacco, and flowers. Rich, concentrated, and sexy, yet not over the top in any way, it expands on the palate, has sweet tannins, background oak, and a great, great finish. It already offers pleasure yet won't hit prime time for another 7-8 years and is going to evolve for 25-30 years or more, and probably have a gradual decline after that. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WCI) |
In Bond
£181.00 |
|||||
The Wine Cellar Insider (100)The last vintage produced by Pomerol legend, Denis Durantou, (who sadly passed away May 2020), is one of his best. A testament to his devotion to his vineyards, the wine explodes with a gorgeous set of aromatics packed with flowers, chocolate, truffle, plums, black cherries, and wet earth. But it is on the palate where the magic takes place. Incredibly concentrated, rich, ostentations, silky and vibrant, the wine offers incredible purity to the fruit, which is a good thing because the finish is not something you want to lose sight of, as its showy display of chocolate-tinged, dark red fruits, licorice, spice, and black cherries lingers, builds and expands. Built to age and evolve, give it some time in the cellar and enjoy it for 3 decades with ease. This is exactly the type of wine Denis Durantou truly loved making. Owners of this beauty should toast him and his years of work at L'Eglise Clinet. I know I will. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WCI) |
In Bond
£1,113.00 |
|||||
The Wine Cellar Insider (100)The last vintage produced by Pomerol legend, Denis Durantou, (who sadly passed away May 2020), is one of his best. A testament to his devotion to his vineyards, the wine explodes with a gorgeous set of aromatics packed with flowers, chocolate, truffle, plums, black cherries, and wet earth. But it is on the palate where the magic takes place. Incredibly concentrated, rich, ostentations, silky and vibrant, the wine offers incredible purity to the fruit, which is a good thing because the finish is not something you want to lose sight of, as its showy display of chocolate-tinged, dark red fruits, licorice, spice, and black cherries lingers, builds and expands. Built to age and evolve, give it some time in the cellar and enjoy it for 3 decades with ease. This is exactly the type of wine Denis Durantou truly loved making. Owners of this beauty should toast him and his years of work at L'Eglise Clinet. I know I will. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,460.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
£702.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,030.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98-99)Wonderfully bright, floral aromas with so much violet character. Such purity and focus. Ethereal on the nose already. Full-bodied, but very polished and deep with finesse and beauty. Incredible structure that fills the mouth. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 97-98 (JS) |
In Bond
£943.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Medium-bodied with very fine-textured tannins. Delicious sweet and salty and mineral character. Blackberries, violets, cloves and dark olives. Peaches, too. All focused, fresh and in balance. Long, seamless finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-98 (JS) |
In Bond
£232.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Medium-bodied with very fine-textured tannins. Delicious sweet and salty and mineral character. Blackberries, violets, cloves and dark olives. Peaches, too. All focused, fresh and in balance. Long, seamless finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. |
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|
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Bordeaux | 3 | 97-98 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,178.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Medium-bodied with very fine-textured tannins. Delicious sweet and salty and mineral character. Blackberries, violets, cloves and dark olives. Peaches, too. All focused, fresh and in balance. Long, seamless finish. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (JS) |
In Bond
£834.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (100)Wonderful aromas of crushed violets and wisteria as well as black-truffle undertones and blueberries. Medium- to full-bodied, this has a beautiful center palate and an endless finish. It’s so polished and refined with breathtaking length that caresses every inch of the finish. A masterpiece for the vintage. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Try after 2030 and beyond. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 98+ (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£218.50 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98+)Rich, layered and dynamic in the glass, the 2023 L'Eglise-Clinet is outrageously beautiful. Inky red/purplish fruit, spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco open in the glass. The 2023 shows terrific finesse. It's a wine of tremendous power and reserve, with soaring aromatics, mind-blowing balance, layered depth, boundless energy and a real sense of tension. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 6 | 98+ (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£1,178.50 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98+)Rich, layered and dynamic in the glass, the 2023 L'Eglise-Clinet is outrageously beautiful. Inky red/purplish fruit, spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco open in the glass. The 2023 shows terrific finesse. It's a wine of tremendous power and reserve, with soaring aromatics, mind-blowing balance, layered depth, boundless energy and a real sense of tension. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
In Bond
£104.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (92-93)Best second wine in a long time from here. This is so focused with amazing fruit and flowers. Full bodied, with firm tannins and a long, long finish. Best second wine of L'Eglise Clinet since 1995. |
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|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 90 (WA) |
In Bond
£162.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (90)The 2013 La Petite Eglise, which Denis Durantou poured from magnum since this is how the entire production was bottled, has a precise and fragrant bouquet with crushed stone scents filtering through the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, tensile and fresh in the mouth, not powerful or deep, but lively and playful from start to finish. This is worth seeking out. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WA) |
In Bond
£220.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (91)The 2014 La Petite Eglise, pure Merlot picked on 3 October, is always a little gem and probably deserves more respect from cognoscenti. It has a gorgeously pure bouquet with ebullient red berry fruit, perhaps showing now more blue fruit, since I last tasted it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin, pure red cherry and strawberry coulis intermingled with cold stone and a touch of blood orange. There is wonderful precision on the finish. This is just superb and doubtless great value. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£78.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)Denis Durantou's 2015 La Petite Eglise is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Classy, polished and super-refined in every way, the Petite Eglise is all class. The bright red cherry, hard candy, mint and rose petal notes are beautifully delineated throughout. Even with all of its obvious fruit density, the 2015 remains light on its feet and gracious. There is no question Petite Eglise is one of the best second wines in 2015. Actually, Petite Eglise is not really a terrific second wine, it is simply a gorgeous Pomerol. That's all there is to it. |
|||||||||
|
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 93 (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£181.50 |
|||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)The 2017 La Petite Eglise is poweful and rich in the glass. Dark purplish berry fruit, charcoal, licorice, clove and lavender are some of the many nuances that infuse the 2017 with its distinctly somber personality. Unctuous and racy in feel, with superb density, the 2017 is a decidedly extroverted Pomerol. Tasting it from bottle, I have the same impression I did en primeur: it is easily better than many top bottlings. |
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