2016 l'Eglise Clinet
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2016 L'Eglise-Clinet is more high-toned on the nose, with inky black and blueberry fruit, more floral and less developed compared to others in this blind flight. The palate is medium-bodied with velvety tannins, perhaps a little lower in acidity than its peers, with impressive weight and density, although not the most complex. It needs just a bit more personality to come through. There are much better bottles than this one, hence the question mark. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Edgy, vibrant nose with real zest. Thick and dry and very unforthcoming for now. Needs masses of time but it’s all there. Rich and glorious. (JR)
One of the monumental wines in the vintage is the 2016 Château Eglise Clinet from proprietor Denis Durantou. Based on 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, this utterly perfect wine boasts a saturated purple color as well as an essence of Pomerol bouquet of ripe black cherries, blackcurrant liqueur, smoked tobacco, camphor, and graphite. Deep, full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and layered, yet always with class and balance, it offers a remarkable marriage of power and finesse. It’s already sexy and seductive yet also a baby, and needs 7-8 years of cellaring. It should keep for 3-4 decades (probably longer), but why wait?
About the producer
Ch. l'Eglise-Clinet is one of the most unassuming wine estates in Bordeaux. You'd probably drive past it if you didn't have prior knowledge of its vinous output. There's no ostentatious gateway nor sweeping gravel drive.