Chateau L’Eglise Clinet has a long history in the Pomerol appellation. It dates all the way back to 1803 when Jean Rouchut purchased some of the vineyard lands that later became L’Eglise Clinet.
Today, it is one of the true stars of Pomerol! The wine of L’Eglise Clinet is concentrated, full-bodied, opulent and rich. Everything is in harmony and balance. This special Bordeaux wine offers purity of fruit, exotic spice components, freshness, and sensuous textures not found in most wines.
The 4.4-hectare, cross-shaped, Pomerol vineyard of Chateau L’Eglise Clinet is planted to 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. The Malbec is part of the grape field blend and not something the estate purposely planted. It is seldom added to the blend.
It is the goal of Chateau L’Eglise Clinet to slowly increase the amount of Cabernet Franc in the vineyard and remove more of the Malbec. This will be done by planting Cabernet Franc clones selected from the oldest Cabernet Franc vines planted in the vineyard using a massal selection program.
The terroir of Chateau L’Eglise Clinet is deep clay and gravel soils without excess water, thanks to the century-old drainage network and natural slopes which rise to 29 meters at their peak. However, in this unique case, perhaps plots are the wrong word to use as this Right Bank property abuts the Pomerol cemetery.
2011 – 90% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Franc
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95 Points – “The Wine Advocate”, Robert M. Parker, Jr. (April 2014)
“With a dense ruby/purple color is followed by a pure nose of mulberries, cherry liqueur and spring flowers, but no hint of oak, this full-bodied, opulent, rich beauty exhibits impressive purity, texture, richness and length. Not as structured or tannic as Trotanoy, it moves more in the direction of the opulence and flashy, showy fruit of Hosanna and Petrus. It should drink well for 15-20 years.”