Eglise Clinet 2015

The flagship wine of Pomerol superstar winemaker Denis Durantou, Eglise Clinet has consistently been ones of the best wines of the vintage over many years; typically perfumed, complex and structured. The 2015 is made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Black fruits with a touch of cinnamon, clove and mineral. The palate shows intense fruit with rose petals - power and lift with lots of vitality. Creamy but big tannins building to a long dry finish.

Score: 96 - 98

Albany Vintners, - 27 April 2016

The 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, picked between 21-25 September at 41 hl/ha and matured in 70% new oak. Denis Durantou poured two samples for me. First from Darnajou barrel. Here, a very composed, effortless bouquet with extremely pure raspberry coulis, strawberry, almost confit-like scents that display ethereal delineation. This is not a powerful or intense bouquet, rather one that is sophisticated and refined, bunches of violet emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, crisp acidity, mineral-rich and tensile. There is tangible energy and refinement on the finish that lingers long and tenderly in the mouth, a wine constantly having something more to say. The second came from Demptos barrel. This was deeper on the nose, showing a touch more fruit, slightly higher toned. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, structured in the mouth, perhaps the barrel impressing its character more on the wine than the Darnajou. Together, they should combine to create a quite magical 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet.

Score: 96 - 98

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2022-2045 01 April 2016