LA PETITE ÉGLISE
2022 Pomerol
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. 60% new oak. 14.5% alc. 4700 bottles were produced. Merlot was picked on 31 August – 7 September and Cabernet Franc was picked on 9 September The smaller berries in 2022 are why the yields were lower than hoped. While this might have somewhat tempered excitement at Vignobles Denis Durantou, the flavours found in these wines are astounding, deep, resonant and also exceptionally vibrant and refreshing. None more so than La Petit Église with its symphonic nose and thrillingly buoyant texture and length. This is every inch a Grand Vin – in any vintage and from any property. It is a chip off the É-C block, but it stands shoulder to shoulder with its portfolio partner instead of beneath it in ranking because it shows wonderfully different traits and a more engaging and welcoming manner. I have not tasted a La Petite Église before with this depth of flavour, immediate attractiveness or length of finish. It is a stunning triumph that will please ardent fans early in its life and then carry on evolving long after other Châteaux’ Grands Vins have passed on. Rating: 18.5+ Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2023)
* 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 2022 La Petite Eglise was picked from 31 August to 9 September and was aged in 60% new oak. It has a pure bouquet with dark berry fruit, pressed iris flower and light loamy scents. The palate is medium-bodied with seductive black berries and strawberries laced with white pepper. It's harmonious and sensual on the finish. Superb. Drinking range: 2027 - 2040 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2023)
This is an impressive Petite Eglise, has a sweet subtle spicing, lovely black pepper and great juice. Slate, black chocolate, espresso, mandarin peel, so many layers, delicious. 34hl/h yields. Harvest August 31 (earliest ever) to September 9, 60% new oak. Noemie Durantou winemaker. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2023)
This year, if the aromas of L'Eglise-Clinet hover between violet and iris, it is roses, together with a sweetish hint of Turkish delight, that emerge from the bouquet of La Petite Eglise. This is a tender vision of Pomerol, yet quite full-bodied; there is nothing severe about the velvety development of its forward substance. Rating: 90-92 La Revue du Vin de France (May 2023)
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. A little more complexity and structure this year. Red-fruit and violet notes, the fruit generous and flavour intense. Firm, ripe tannins behind provide a serious edge. Length on the finish. (JL) 14.5% Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 17 James Lawther MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2023)
The 2022 La Petite Eglise is quite dense and inward at this stage. The Cabernet Franc is especially dominant today, both in the wine's aromatic profile and overall feel. It's a serious second wine that demands at least a few years in the cellar. Time in the glass brings out notable fruit richness as the Merlot gains volume to match the aromatic presence and structure of the Franc. Drinking range: 2028 - 2042 Rating: 92-94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2023)
Chocolate and walnut with hazelnut and berries. It’s full and chewy with velvety tannins and spices. Juicy and salty finish. Savory. Rating: 95-96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2023)
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. Denis Durantou also owns 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 on the main website. If you are unclear as to what is involved in primeur purchases please do contact our private client team via email or on 020 7018 0187.
Ordering
Prices are all in bond by the case size stated.
Pre-Orders are a firm commitment to buy wines on release, as long as the release price is within the upper and lower price bands set by you on the pre-order form. Pre-orders will be fulfilled subject to availability but providing this firm commitment to buy effectively gives you priority and is a good idea for the most desirable wines.
Wines listed on the website can be ordered in the usual way via the website wishlist order form. You can also send orders directly to our private client team via email. Please note that, for the most sought-after wines, priority will be given to those who ordered the same wines last year and to those that have pre-ordered.
Confirmation
All orders will be confirmed by email and are binding unless written cancellation is received within seven days of email confirmation. Pre-orders are not binding if the release price is above your upper price band.
Invoices are all raised at the in bond price (excluding any duty and VAT) which will become payable at the prevailing rates when the wines arrive in the UK, should you wish to take duty paid delivery.
Payment is required on sight of invoice, by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We regret we cannot accept credit cards for en primeur orders. We reserve the right to apply a dunning charge of 2% per month on invoices unpaid after 30 days.
Delivery
- Shipment to our bond (at 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 £500. Orders below this total will be charged an administration and handling fee of £16.50+ VAT when invoices are issued. We will group deliveries and this is a charge for your entire purchases, not a per-case charge.
- Delivery of 2024 Bordeaux bought en primeur is expected during 2026. Delivery dates may vary as wines are shipped from Bordeaux at different times.
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). Immediate payment of invoices is then required by cash, cheque, debit card or bank transfer. We and our customers find that having a single invoice for the vintage is the simpler option but please note that confirmed orders are still binding even if the final invoice has not yet been issued.
Please specify on your wishlist order form where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. If this is to a third-party bonded warehouse, please specify the relevant account details. If the wines are required duty-paid we will issue a second invoice for duty and VAT at the prevailing rate when the wines are available for delivery.
Half-bottles, Magnums and larger bottles.
One of the additional advantages of buying en primeur is being able to order the wine in the format you want. While most of our listings are for 75cl bottles, we can source wines in any format that is offered by the Château. Please note that format requests cannot be changed once wines have been invoiced. Additional charges for special formats do apply and are as follows:-
- +£18.00 per case of 12 half-bottles
- +£30.00 per case of 24 half-bottles
- +£7.50 per case of 3 Magnums (2 bottles equivalent, 1.5 litres each)
- +£11.00 per case of 6 Magnums
- +£45.00 per individually boxed Double Magnum (4 bottles equivalent, 3 litres)
- +£60.00 per individually boxed Imperial (8 bottles equivalent, 6 litres) for Salmanazars, Balthazars, Nebuchadnezzars and Melchiors please enquire for availability and price.
Storage Options:
Wines bought en primeur won't arrive in the UK until 2026. If you do not wish to take home delivery at that point, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our private client team for more information.