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!
-
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.HK$3,675.00 -
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.HK$5,220.00 -
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.HK$1,800.00 -
James Suckling (93-94)
This is very tight and long for Petite Église with a very compact and focused palate. Medium-to full-bodied, compressed palate with ripe tannins that are firm and fresh.HK$2,400.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
A really refined red with blue fruit, subtle chocolate and sandalwood. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and refined. Very pure. It goes on and on. One of the best I remember.HK$2,700.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Very fresh, perfumed aromas of blackberries, black olives and some white pepper. The palate is full and extremely polished with lovely depth and length. Lovely second wine. Serious.HK$2,180.00 -
(6x75cl) 2023
James Suckling (94-95)
A firm and racy red with blackberry, black olive, and orange peel. Just a hint of salt. Medium to full body. Tight center-palate with lovely tannins and a savory finish. Fresh and balanced at the end. Crunchy. Open. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc.HK$2,032 - HK$2,413