CLOS DU CLOCHER
2017 Pomerol
The 2017 Clos du Clocher was picked 21 September to 4 October. It gently unfolds on the nose with blackberry and wild strawberry scents, a touch of iris and incense that emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a little edginess coming through with aeration. It becomes spicier with black pepper and a touch of brine towards the linear finish. There is moderate length here, not a Clos du Clocher with immense flair but there is ample freshness. Drinking range: 2022 - 2038 Rating: 90-92 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
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No frost to contend with here, giving a yield of 45hl/ha. This is displaying poised black fruits with a feeling of plump, rich damson and black cherry, with layers of dark chocolate revealing themselves through the palate. A real success, it was harvested between 25 September and 5 October, undergoing integral vinification with malolactic in barrel on 15% of the crop, and 65% new oak overall. Drinking range: 2024 - 2036 Rating: 91 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)
Terrific notes of black cherries, crushed flowers, and sous bois emerge from the 2017 Château Clos Du Clocher, which is an 80/20 split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. With medium-bodied richness, good concentrated, and a seamless texture, it has outstanding potential and should be well worth seeking out. Rating: 88-90 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)
More fruit than many Pomerols in 2017 with a solid core of berry and chocolate character. Ripe tannins and a long, subtle finish. Rating: 91 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)
Another wine from Jean-Baptiste Bourotte, in 2017 this was picked at a yield of 45 hl/ha, starting September 21st, finishing October 4th. Aromatically this starts with a surprisingly muted reticence, there is although certainly nothing green here, which is a good start. The palate is full of gently smudged fruit, with dark and concentrated character, black cherry wrapped up in fine dark chocolate, with a ripe tannic substance which gives the wine plenty of grip in the middle and finish. It has plenty of ripe fruit and texture, tightly encased in oak, and it displays a very firm, tannic length. The wine of this estate seems to be interminably under-rated, and 2017 is as good as ever, full of tannic potential for the future. A good result in this vintage. Rating: 92-94 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)
Clos du Clocher
A property in three plots on the plateau of Pomerol, about 4.6 hectares, a mixture of clay, gravel and sandy soils, planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in about 60% new wood and production is around 2000 cases per annum. A new chai was created in 2010, and quality has leapt forward here.