Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 98+
Rich, layered and dynamic in the glass, the 2023 L’Eglise-Clinet is outrageously beautiful. Inky red/purplish fruit, spice, blood orange, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco open in the glass. The 2023 shows terrific finesse. It’s a wine of tremendous power and reserve, with soaring aromatics, mind-blowing balance, layered depth, boundless energy and a real sense of tension.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2053
Neal Martin 97
The 2023 L’Eglise-Clinet was potentially one of the wines of the vintage after its sublime performance from barrel. Now in bottle since May after maturation in 82% new oak, it has a seamless bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, veins of blue fruit mixed with violet and iris petal, hints of black truffle emerging with time. The palate delivers with that intense, quite mineral-driven smorgasbord of red fruit that gently grip the palate. Wonderful backbone, very precise with a sustained finish, this is a brilliant L’Eglise-Clinet from Noemie Durantou that should give 30 to 40 years’ drinking pleasure.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2058
JancisRobinson.com 17.5
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Aromatically explosive with a burgundy-like notion of berry fruit. Mouth-filling fruit on the palate to match and enfold the abundance of firm tannin behind. Clearly built to age. (JL)
Anticipated maturity: 2032-2050
James Suckling 99
Profound violet aromas with hints of ash and crushed stones, alongside mussel shells, purple fruit and iodine. Medium- to full-bodied, showing plush, silky texture and a length and depth that go on and on. So caressing. The density of fruit is really something, taking you into the soul of the wine. The harmonious balance leaves you satisfied and thoughtful. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Best after 2029 but already a joy to taste. Drink or hold.
Jane Anson 97
Rises through the palate, intense and concentrated with cloves, pomegranate, black pepper, cumin, rosemary, rich black fruits balanced and given lift and contrast by nuanced and fresher raspberry leaf, tomato leaf, saline squid ink, and fresh citrus peel acidities. This has cohesion, precision, lift and character. Noemie Durantou winemaker. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2048
The Wine Independent 97-99
A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, L Eglise-Clinet 2023 has a pH of 3.7. It is deep garnet-purple in color and opens with an initial burst of gregarious fruit, with blueberry preserves and ripe, juicy plums giving way to perfumed waves of lilacs, cinnamon stick, star anise, crushed rocks, and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly coiled at this stage with the taut, intense black and blue fruit core intertwined with minerals and exotic spices, supported by firm, rounded tannins and compelling tension, finishing very long and fragrant. A head-turner!
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2060
