Clos l'Eglise 2020

Noticeable extract right from the start, powerful structure, fiery finish, lots of oak; true to its style.

Inky plum colour, concentrated and confident, a ton of signature Pomerol - grilled blueberry and blackberry, gingerbread and coffee. Great stuff, packed full of expansive power through the mid palate before contracting with bitter chocolate and firm tannins on the close of play. 7ha. Gravel clay soils, 45-50 years average age of the vines. Enjoyable range of Casteja wines here, with terroir signature - Batailley speaks of Pauillac gravels, Trottevieille of St Emilion limestone and this one of Pomerol clay.

This has a pretty nose of chocolate, praline, blueberries, lavender and bramble berries. It’s medium-bodied with firm, compact tannins. Firm and focused with an enticing bitter chocolate character throughout. Some smoked wood. Intense and tightly wound. Opens on the palate. Try in 2027.

The 2020 Clos L'Eglise is not as showy as it was from barrel, perhaps because of its recent bottling. Bright red-toned fruit, spice, mint, blood orange and rose petal are all laced together. En primeur, Clos L'Eglise was quite powerful, but I see more finesse today. Even so, this is one of the most concentrated Clos L'Eglise wines ever, since surpassed by the 2022, though!

With all the flowers, chocolate, black cherries, truffles and licorice you could hope for, the perfume lets you know you are in for a treat. The inky dark color leads the way to a full-bodied, rich and concentrated wine that is opulent, lush, silky and fresh, finishing with layer after layer of perfectly ripe, sweet, sensuously textured plums and black cherries. Drink from 2025-2055.

Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, faint brightening on the rim. Ripe plum, black cherry, a hint of nougat and orange zest, delicate savoury notes. Juicy, powerful, elegant, dark fruit, plum, chocolaty touch, vivid tannins, discreet sweetness on the finish, salty-mineral echo, definite ageing potential.

A real “wow” wine, the 2020 Clos L'Eglise sports a deep ruby hue as well as an absolutely stunning bouquet of black cherries, red plums, damp earth, chocolate, truffle, and lead pencil. This deep, full-bodied, concentrated beauty has that classic Pomerol opulence and richness paired with an incredible sense of elegance. The tannins are perfectly ripe as well. Give bottles just 4-5 years, and it's going to age beautifully. This is the finest wine I've tasted from the Garcin-Lévêque family, surpassing both the 2009 and 2016. Don't miss it.

Deep purple with an opaque core and a delicate lilac rim. Seductive bouquet of morello cherry, licorice and Brazilian tobacco, with chocolate pastilles and an arabica note in the background. On the full palate, silky texture, fine-grained extract, supporting tension and a well-trained body. In the focused finish, small black berries, dark graphite paired with robust notes and a finely crumbly astringency. Slightly down compared to the previous year!

Kunz barrel sample 2021: creamy, velvety, sweet bouquet, blackberry jelly, chocolate, walnut shells, fresh herbs. Powerful, fruity palate with sweet, intense fruit, fine tannins, a finely opulent structure, powerful aromatics, long, full finish. Can still improve.

Creamy, velvety, sweet bouquet with blackberry jelly, chocolate, walnut shells, fresh herbs. Powerful, fruity palate with sweet, intense fruit, fine tannins, a finely opulent structure, pronounced aromatics, long, full finish. Can improve further. 17/20 2026 - 2048

95-96

Combining freshness and charm, this Pomerol emphasizes its focus on harmony. Its supportive, powerful, and austere tannins highlight the cellaring time this wine requires. It needs air to blossom and soften. Patience is essential!

The 2020 Clos L’Eglise is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It storms out of the glass with powerful notes of crushed plums, blackberry preserves, and boysenberries, plus suggestions of cast-iron pan, violets, and star anise. The medium- to full-bodied palate reveals a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing long and earthy.