CHÂTEAU L'ÉGLISE CLINET
2013 Pomerol
Denis Durantou, always interesting to listen to, was keen to say that this year it was the good weather in July which made the wine ('Juillet à fait le moût'). 'Ripe grapes can be acid too. It's no use waiting for them not to be'. July was the hottest for 15 years, so by September the grapes were ripe even if they were acid, the tannins were ripe even though the acidity was high. This year Denis' wines were naturally 13-13.5%. While other were waiting, looking for the sweetness and low acid of some recent vintages, he was happy to make wines with this balance. And it works for him! More serious depth and richness than the Petite Église, more structure too, but there's a good deep black fruit and spice and savour too. A touch of dark chocolate, and then the acidity on the finish lifts it all, mouthwatering, hard not to swallow. A lovely balance. Denis goes on to say 'astringency should be part of the culture of wine, sugar and sweetness is vulgar and not sophisticated'. Rating: 93 L&S (Apr 2014)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
The 2013 L'Eglise-Clinet has a clean and precise bouquet with black fruit, sous-bois, shavings of black truffle and hints of morels. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, red fruit laced with mocha and delicate acidity with a harmonious, if simplistic (for this estate) finish. Fine. Drinking range: 2023 - 2034 Rating: 90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2023)
Unquestionably one of the better wines of the vintage, with grip and grace. Not the depth and complexity of a normal L'Eglise Clinet, but there is a slow progression through the palate, and a clear indication of careful extraction of actual fruit. Blackberry and raspberry dominate, autumnal and gentle, enjoyable and there is pleasure to be found. No need to wait, but no rush to drink. Denis Durantou was no doubt up for the challenge of this year, obsessively checking his vines to see what he could do to revive them, and I have a wonderful memory of tasting this with him and Michel Rolland in Pomerol, and being struck by how much it revealed of his talents. Drinking range: 2023 - 2036 Rating: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter (Feb 2023)
The 2013 l’Eglise-Clinet was picked 25 September to 2 October for the Merlot and 6 October for the Cabernet Franc, then matured in 80% new oak. It has a hard time following the 2014 and 2015 in terms of fruit concentration as you would expect. This feels more evolved with woodland/autumn leaf aromas complemented by field mushroom and tertiary scents that occlude fruit expression. The palate is medium-bodied with rather dry tannins, dark berry fruit tinged with cedar and tobacco notes. It is actually an enjoyable Pomerol with fine acidity and freshness on the finish, although as you would expect, it does not belong with the pantheon of great Pomerols. Tasted at the l’Eglise-Clinet vertical at the château in April 2018. Drinking range: 2019 - 2030 Rating: 89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2019)
A 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc blend from the Plateau of Pomerol near the church, the wine has an inky/purple color, a sweet kiss of mulberry and black cherry liqueurs, interwoven with licorice, truffle, a hint of melted road tar and background spice and oak. The wine is opulent, medium to full-bodied and unquestionably a tour de force for this vintage. Kudos to Durantou. If you can find it, this is clearly one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage and a real star. Drink from 2018-2027. It-s no surprise that perfectionist/meticulous proprietor Denis Durantou has turned out one of the best wines of the vintage. Harvested September 27-October 6, only 10,000 bottles were produced in this tiny yielding vintage that also required a draconian-like selection process to keep the best fruit under the top label. 2018-2027 Rating: 92-94 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)
(90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc): Dark ruby. Very pure dark berry and floral aromas soar from the glass. Minerally and inky in the mouth, with blueberry and blackberry cocktail flavors lifted by lively acidity and nicely supported by smooth tannins. One of the better wines of 2013, it's devoid of green or astringent notes. It only lacks the depth of fruit of the better vintages but there's good concentration here. Rating: 89-92 Ian d'Agata - Stephen Tanzer website (May 2014)
Deep and brooding the nose is very black fruit in character. The palate packed with rich ripe fruit fleshy and supple black plum backed by rich black cherry. There is an underlying freshness slightly lighter at the back but the finish has depth richness lots of sweet fruit. 2020-2030. Rating: 93-96 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)
The wizard of Pomerol does it again. Denis Durantou’s top wine is first rate this year, seemingly in defiance of the vintage conditions. Poised, minerally and sweetly oaked, this plummy, brambly, Merlot-based blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Francis rich, fine and beautifully integrated. There’s not much of it, either, so hurry. 2018-30 Rating: 96 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2014)
(90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc): Dark ruby. Very pure dark berry and floral aromas soar from the glass. Minerally and inky in the mouth, with blueberry and blackberry cocktail flavors lifted by lively acidity and nicely supported by smooth tannins. One of the better wines of 2013, it's devoid of green or astringent notes. It only lacks the depth of fruit of the better vintages but there's good concentration here. Rating: 89-92 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2014)
(90 Merlot, 10 Cabernet Franc) 70% new oak. 10000 bottles made. As Denis Durantou says, ‘2013s are to enjoy without moderation’ (sic). This is a very intense wine, packed with fruit. He tried to extract gently but with yields of 28hl/ha there were always going to be dark, sooty notes creeping in and they work really well. This is an exotic wine on the start but it is quite harsh on the finish. There is surprising power here and it is intent on shocking and also bucking the trend. I always find Denis’s wines fascinating and this is no exception. It is a quandary, teetering on the edge of balance and I find it very exciting indeed. Rating: 17.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Apr 2014)
Unusual concentration for the year. Aromatic persistence with complex, exotic notes. Lovely suave texture. Ample fine-grained tannins. Good length. Drink: 2020-2033. Rating: 17.5 James Lawther MW, decanter.com (Apr 2014)
Well-rendered, with sleek raspberry and blackberry coulis notes, presenting a backdrop of anise and warm fruitcake flavors and a fleshy, polished finish. Pure and lengthy. Rating: 89–92 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2014)
The Grand Vin is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 27 September and 2 October. It delivers 13.5% alcohol, a degree less than last year. The Merlot comes through very strongly on the nose with pure scents of cranberry and wild strawberry, dried violet petals and a touch of sous-bois It is very well defined although not as complex as a top-flight l'Eglise-Clinet. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky entry that does not hesitate in caressing the palate, the oak succinct and deftly interwoven. There is not a huge depth here, but rather great tension and precision, a hint of citrus peel. This is already utterly seductive. One day, Denis might make a L'Eglise-Clinet that does not incite superlatives. I might be waiting a long time. If you do insist on buying one 2013 en primeur, then make it this one. Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)
One of the most naturally structured wines from the vintage. Full body with mineral character and intensity. The old-vine cabernet franc gives it the backbone. This will need aging. Rating: 93-94 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2014)
The 2013 L'Eglise Clinet is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. A dark, sumptuous wine, the 2013 flows across the palate with remarkable depth and pure texture. Blue and black fruit, licorice, smoke and violets all flesh out on the voluptuous, racy finish. This is a terrific showing. The blend is predominantly Merlot, with a splash of Cabernet Franc and Malbec from the oldest parcels on the property, which were planted in 1930. New oak is around 60-70%, but it is barely perceptible. What a gorgeous wine this is. Rating: 90-93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Apr 2014)
Château L'Église Clinet
In a region of modest architecture, the high-spired church in Pomerol tends to dominate the sky-line. Gathered around it, a trio of estates trumpet their proximity with their name – Domaine de l’Eglise, Clos l’Eglise and Château l’Eglise Clinet. Infact, Clos l’Eglise Clinet and l’Eglise Clinet, separated only by a narrow lane, used to form a single estate until they were divided in inheritance in the latter half of the 19th Century. Initially, confusingly, called Clos de l’Eglise, the estate appended the lieu dit name and became Clos de l’Eglise Clinet, before finally settling on l’Eglise Clinet. The château, such as it is, is quite modest – the château proper being left with the Clos l’Eglise portion when the estate divided. The Château l’Eglise Clinet story really begins when Denis Durantou took over in 1983 and turned a traditional if unexciting property into one of Pomerol’s superstars. New equipment in a small new chai were installed and meticulous attention has been paid to the vineyard. There are 6ha of vines given over to 85% Merlot and 14% Cabernet Franc with the last 1% being a plot of very old Malbec vines. Following Denis' untimely death, his daughters Noémie and Constance are running the show- with the same passion. We love the wines here - and they continue to represent real class and real value from top to bottom. The Durantou family also own Château les Cruzelles in Lalande-de-Pomerol, Saintayme in Saint Emilion and Chateau Montlandrie in the Côtes de Castillon.
Please make sure that you have read the terms of this offer which are different from those of the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do call us, but see the 'practical notes' below.
Ordering
Prices are per case as listed 'in bond London'.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment from you to buy the wines you order on release, subject to the price being below the upper price of the estimated band on our website. You may also set your own upper price limit, lower or higher than ours. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability. Providing this firm commitment to us effectively gives you priority.
Wines listed on the website (after any pre-orders and allocations have been fulfilled) can be ordered in the usual way via the website order form or by email or telephone 020 7221 1982, always subject to stock remaining.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are contractually binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of the confirmation date, apart from pre-orders which are binding if the release price is below the top estimate or other price you have set.
Invoices are raised at the In Bond price, excluding any duty and VAT which will become payable at the prevailing rates on arrival of the wine if required duty paid.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or credit transfer. We reserve the right to charge 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (LCB Creek Road) and insurance are included in the in bond price.
- Delivery is free to Lea and Sandeman / Elephant storage accounts, both duty paid and in bond.
- Other deliveries (In Bond and Duty Paid) are also free subject to a minimum order from the offer of £1000, orders below this total will be charged £16.50+ VAT when the wine invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery for 2016 Bordeaux primeurs will probably be completed by October 2019, but we make no guarantee as to specific delivery times, and some of the Sauternes may be later.
Practical notes - how it works
We start a sale in each customer's name and add all their primeur orders to one sale which is invoiced at the end of the campaign (or when the customer wishes) for immediate payment. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option, but do please note that confirmed orders are still binding as above even if the final invoice has not been issued.
When the wine is shipped, unless previously specified we will assume that delivery is to be to bonded storage with Elephant Storage, but in any case, we will contact you requesting any alternative instructions. If you have another bonded delivery address you would like the wine to go to, please tell us at the time of ordering. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue invoices at the rates prevailing at the time for the excise duty (currently £25.98 per case) and the VAT (currently at 20%) on the total of the wine cost and the duty.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the bottle size you want. Even if a wine is only listed in one size, you can order any bottle or case size you want if the property supplies it, but you must order the case/bottle size you require and check that the correct size has been invoiced.
Additional charges are as follows:-
- +£15 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£15 per case of 6 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£35 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£45 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.