Clos l'Eglise 2016

For the first time, we’re tasting a wine here that, while still not shy about extract, oak, or alcohol, does offer freshness and juiciness.

This has a juicy core of damson plum, raspberry and cherry coulis flavors, offset by light black tea and floral notes. Offers a rounded feel through the finish while retaining a sense of freshness. Hard to resist the fruit here. Drink now through 2030. 1,500 cases made.

Situated next to l'Eglise Clinet, this wine is a blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc from the 7ha estate, a reflection of its location in central Pomerol where clay dominates over gravel. Beautifully ripe and powerful, with some cedar notes and clean, deep, spicy black cherries. I love this, a classic Pomerol. 50% new oak.

Lots of smoke, black olives and brown sugar on the ripe fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, with rich, chewy tannins and a spicy, toffee, smoky, coffee finish. Not overdone. Needs at least five years to come together. Try after 2024.

The 2016 Clos L'Eglise is endowed with tremendous density and lushness. Blackberry jam, chocolate, leather, spice and licorice give the 2016 much of its flamboyant, forward personality. Readers should expect a rich, explosive Pomerol built on textural resonance. The 2016 spent 18 months in French oak (300–500L barrels), 80% new. This is a terrific showing from Hélène Garcin and Patrice Lévêque.

Full-bodied, rich, sexy, lush and polished, this is a hedonistic treat loaded with truffle and plums. There is length, purity and sex appeal here, with the ability to age and evolve for at least 2 to 3 decades with ease.

floral and earthy notes, slightly riper fruit than above, red and dark berries, plum. The palate is dense with generous fruit, ripe raspberry and plum with mild spiciness, a small hint of oak, ripe tannin and a long, fleshy finish.

I'd put the 2016 Clos L'Eglise up with the top vintages out there, including the 1998, 2000, 2005, and 2009. It has a similar level of purity compared to the 2015 yet offers even more power and concentration. A huge nose of crème de cassis, crushed violets, graphite, lead pencil, violets, and damp earth gives way to a flawlessly balanced, full-bodied 2016 that has sweet tannins, no hard edges, and that rare mix of power and elegance. Do your best to hide a case of this beauty in the cellar. It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face any time over the coming 25-30 years!

Dark garnet. Dense bouquet with red berry notes and fine spice in the background. On the Palate with medium body and fleshy extract, slightly becoming tender with fine-grained notes and black pepper in the finish – potential rating.

Kunz Barrel 17: (96% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 40 hl/ha) Silky, finely opulent bouquet, blackberries, dark chocolate, mocha, mint. Creamy, full palate with powerful, sweet fruit, fine tannin, finely opulent structure, sweet aromatics, long, aromatic finish.

Dense, fresh, complex bouquet: strawberries, raspberry jelly, mint, pralines, nougat. Balanced, tightly woven palate with an elegant, silky structure, powerful, fine, sweet fruit, diverse aromatics, fine tannins, long, vigorous finish. 18/20 2024 - 2040

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Clos L'Eglise rolls effortlessly out of the glass with bombastic scents of stewed black plums, juicy blackberries, and redcurrants, plus nuances of cedar, pencil lead, Indian spices, and lilacs. Medium to full-bodied, firm, and finely grained, the palate is jam packed with vibrant black and red berry layers, leading to a long and perfumed finish on this gorgeous wine.

Over the years, the style of this great wine is refined, combining opulence, freshness and spice with juicy, spicy fruit. The wine shines beautifully on the palate.

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc aged almost entirely in new 300-litre barrels for 16 to 18 months. A consistently mature style with plenty of creaminess on the palate, beautiful density of texture, a very soft character and delicately sweet finish. The imprint of the clay terroir is clearly evident.

Nose of red fruits, crushed strawberry, floral. Fresh, vibrant juice, tannins still a bit tight, long finish.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. An intense nose with ripe, rather evolved fruit. A gentle entry on the palate, a little more reserved than in other vintages. The wine develops with great savor on a noble texture. It melts on the finish, delicately sappy and perfumed, without ever showing any tannin. The overall breadth is less than in other vintages.