1985 Château l'Église-Clinet
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Tasting notes
Served blind. Treacly-sweet and thick. This was the late Denis Durantou's first proper vintage, apparently. I remember buying a case of it. Almost furry at this stage. Past its hedonistic best. (JR)
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Wow, this is the good stuff – beautifully mature and expressive, still with fruit intact and plenty of life left. So much complexity and layering, with fine structure that is perfectly drinkable now. Long, gradual fade. Beautifully done. (RH)
The 1985 l’Eglise-Clinet is a significant wine in terms of representing my first great Pomerol and my introduction to Denis Durantou’s wine. I have amassed many tasting notes over the years; all attesting a great wine that is beginning to enter its dotage. The last bottle has a rustic, almost animally bouquet that is completely charming with scents of roasted chestnut and clove emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with loose-knit tannin. It is a bit unkempt compared to more recent vintages but there is so much depth and roundness here, that it seduces you into submission. Cedar and tobacco notes towards one of Durantou’s first great wine after taking over in 1983. Tasting note taken from the Pomerol book by Neal Martin.
Served blind. Still dark crimson. Still extremely rich, sweet and purple-fruited. Lots of purple berry flavours but a rather sudden finish. Past its best, I think (JR)
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.