CHÂTEAU L'ÉGLISE CLINET

The 2017 L’Eglise-Clinet was picked between 12 and 22 September, the Cabernet Franc coming in on the last day. Nothing was touched by the frost. It is matured in 70% new oak. Denis Durantou did not specify the exact quantity produced, “Just enough for my friends” according to his spec sheet! The bouquet is very succinct, perhaps more open than either the 2015 or 2016 at this early stage, extraordinarily pure with blackberry, wild strawberry, smoke and truffle. It just gets better and better as it opens in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, linear and focused, very fresh with pointed acidity. This is full of tension and poise, a touch of graphite emerging towards the finish that lingers in the mouth with superb salinité at the end. It completes a triumvirate for Denis Durantou after the 2015 and 2016s. Drinking range: 2024 - 2050 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)

For me, this is one of the successes of the vintage in Pomerol, although not fully escaping the roadblocks of 2017. There is a real sense of precision and elegance here, with floral, violet aromatics and a note of liquorice, and it deals its power in a measured way, one hand at a time - it's a wine to sit with and enjoy. There was no frost at this estate. The Merlot was picked between 12-22 September, and the Cabernet Franc on 22 September. The 70% new oak is a touch present on the close of play, but those tannins are pliable and enjoyable, promising to cradle the fruit for the long haul. Drinking range: 2027 - 2038 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 70% new oak. Black core with purple crimson rim. A hint of oak char on the nose but underneath that is pure black fruit and a creamy character. Smooth and rounded on the palate, the fruit and the oak already well melded. The finish is darker and more savoury, the oak char closing the circle. But the harmony is very good. Not as charming as La Petite Église but longer-term in potential. Drinking range: 2027 - 2037 Rating: 17+ Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2018)

A nice core of gently steeped plum and boysenberry fruit is liberally infused with anise accents. A light bramble edge carries the finish. This has good underlying energy, with some fruit in reserve. Rating: 92-95 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)

This really rolls on the palate with fantastic fruit and tannins. Full-bodied, structured and layered. Long, long finish. Impressive all the way. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)

This is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the former picked from September 12th until the 22nd, the latter on the 22nd. The alcohol is 14.3%, pH 3.68 and IPT 75. Very pure, precise and focused nose here, with sweet dark plum fruit showing a desiccated intensity, with a fragrant and floral perfume. The palate is delightful, leading with a bed of creamed fruit, polished and broad, with an elegant plum and violet-cream sensuality wrapped within varying threads of tobacco, cigar box, and toasted oak. The tannins are ripe, tightly knitted, and poised, wonderfully balanced with the fruit and the acidity. This is very fine, so elegant and yet carrying a perfectly judged substance, not to mention a little seam of minerality. And it is so long and energetic in the finish too. A quite striking, forthright, top-class Église-Clinet here, with truly great potential. The élevage will be in 70% new oak. With regard to volume of production, Denis jokes that there will be “just enough for my friends”. It’s time to get friendly with Denis, everybody. Rating: 96-98 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)