Pomerol.
90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc
Clos l'Église, nestled in the prestigious Pomerol appellation of Bordeaux, is renowned for its exquisite wines that capture the essence of this celebrated region. This esteemed estate, covering 6 hectares of prime vineyard land, boasts a rich history dating back to the 18th century.
James Suckling: 95-96/100
A very tight and focused red with racy tannins and a linear, racy texture. It’s medium-bodied with excellent energy and plenty of blackberry and olive flavours. Very long finish.
Antonio Galloni - Vinous: 93-95/100
The 2023 Clos l'Église presents a gorgeous contrast of intense dark fruit against a mineral backbone that confers energy. There's a ton of nuance here. Graphite, crushed rocks, plum, mocha, spice, leather and dried herbs are all vividly sketched. There's a bit more Cabernet Franc in this year's blend, as one of the Merlot parcels is being replanted. That results in an especially nuanced Clos l'Église that captures the best the year had to offer.
Jane Anson: 93/100
Smoky oak, good ift and zip, waves of rosemary and black chocolate, cocoa bean, espresso, intense but with peony and iris aromatics, and fresh waves of acidity that sends the palate upwards to meet blueberry fruits. Love the silky texture, and the grip, very appellation signature. Oldest vines here are more than 80 years, planted before the frost of 1956. Mathieu Bellot is the vineyard consultant, but no outside winemaking consultant.
Georgie Hindle - Decanter: 93/100
Strong aromatics, really quite deep and opulent and rich. Tart and sour but then soft and almost creamy with some spiced notes in the background and some ferrous iron notes. Quite a lot of bite and tang. A little tight still, coiled and restricted on the finish by the wood and the slightly austere tannins but there’s good, slow expansion and a feeling of finesse as well as mouthwatering freshness. I like this, not charming as such but has some confidence and punch, although it’s a little toasted on the finish. Ageing 50-55% new oak.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Independent: 94-96+/100
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Clos L'Eglise bursts with bold notions of blackberry pie and plum preserves leading to a perfumed undercurrent of iris, licorice, dark chocolate, and tar. The full-bodied palate is intense and expansive, with firm rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long on a lingering anise note. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.70.
Strong aromatics, really quite deep and opulent and rich. Tart and sour but then soft and almost creamy with some spiced notes in the background and some ferrous iron notes. Quite a lot of bite and tang. A little tight still, coiled and restricted on the finish by the wood and the slightly austere tannins but there’s good, slow expansion and a feeling of finesse as well as mouthwatering freshness. I like this, not charming as such but has some confidence and punch, although it’s a little toasted on the finish. Ageing 50-55% new oak.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Independent: 94-96+/100
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Clos L'Eglise bursts with bold notions of blackberry pie and plum preserves leading to a perfumed undercurrent of iris, licorice, dark chocolate, and tar. The full-bodied palate is intense and expansive, with firm rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long on a lingering anise note. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, with pH 3.70.