1995 Clos LEglise, Pomerol

1995 Clos LEglise, Pomerol

Clos l’Église is a historical Bordeaux estate located in Pomerol on the right bank of the Dordogne River. The vineyard is planted largely to Merlot with some Cabernet Franc.

The proportions of the grand vin vary based on the vintage but are usually around 80:20 of the above pair. A second wine, labeled Esprit de l’Église, is made with a similar ratio. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 100-percent new French oak; the grand vin goes on to spend 16-18 months in a barrel.

Critical Acclaim

96 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

One of the vintage’s most awesome wines, L’Eglise-Clinet’s 1995 has been fabulous from both cask and bottle. The color is opaque purple. The wine is closed aromatically, but it does offer a concoction of black raspberries, kirsch, smoke, cherries, and truffles. Full-bodied and rich, with high tannin, but profound levels of fruit and richness, this dense, exceptionally well-delineated, layered, multidimensional L’Eglise-Clinet only hints at its ultimate potential. This looks to be a legend in the making. I could not get over the extraordinary texture of this wine in my mouth. Intensity and richness without heaviness – a tour de force in winemaking!

95 Wine Spectator

Port-like aromas, with loads of ripe raspberry and cherry aromas and just a hint of vanilla. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a rich and wonderful finish. Goes on and on. Big and rich, but still not giving you all it has. 

93 Vinous

The 1995 l’Eglise-Clinet is a wine that I have tasted many times, although probably the most interesting was when Denis Durantou poured a magnum against a bottle. One common trait throughout all the bottles is a delightful Provençal-tinged bouquet, hints of sage and wild fennel that percolate through the red berry fruit. There is power here, but also refinement. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of red fruit again, tinged with menthol and ferrous veins emanating from the Cabernet Franc. It does not fan out or crescendo like the very best vintages, but it is a delicious Pomerol that is drinking perfectly now.