2017 Clos l'Eglise (Pomerol)
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Clos l’Eglise, which suffered no frost damage, has a tightly wound bouquet with a mixture of red and black fruit, sage and chestnut. This is an attractive example but is missing the bravura of the previous two vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with bright red berry fruit, almost Burgundy-like in terms of the pliant tannins. Very harmonious and silky smooth towards the finish, this is a delicious Clos l’Eglise that will drink earlier than 2015 or 2016, but deserves its own round of applause. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Clos L'Eglise has really developed nicely during its élevage. Blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather and licorice give the 2017 much of its rich flamboyant intensity and textural richness. Notes of red cherry, red plum, blood orange, sage and mint add complexity. Even with all of its richness, the 2017 preserves terrific energy and a real sense of vibrancy.
The 2017 Clos l’Eglise has a richer bouquet than the Barde-Haute (also owned by Garçin-Léveque) with brine-tinged blackberry and bilberry fruit. There is a lovely marine influence here. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, fine weight in the mouth, fresh and saline with a touch of bitter cherry on the finish. Classic in style, this is quite a cerebral Pomerol for the vintage and I suspect it will age with style. Excellent.
Blackcurrants, mocha, ground herbs, and hints of earth all emerge from the 2017 Clos L'Eglise, and it's a medium to full-bodied, balanced, pure, layered Pomerol that does everything right in 2017. With ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and beautiful balance, it's a classic, elegant effort to drink over the coming 10-15 years.