Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

3000th post. 🎉 On the nose; sweet, lush; black cassis, liqueur notes, sweet tarry notes, rich, lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, caramel, mocha, caramel, baking spices, warm, moist, rich, dark soils and fresh dark florals. The body is M and the tannins are round and soft. She is a beauty. Ripe, rich; blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, black raspberries & poached strawberries. liqueur notes, sweet tarry notes, dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, baking spices, menthol, warm, moist dark earth, soft leather, dry rock powder, sweet black tea, fresh violets, dark, red florals, perfect round acidity and a rich, round, elegant fruit driven finish that last and lasts. Photos of; Clos E'Lgise and estate vines, signage, Helen Garcin-Leveque and her husband Patrice Leveque and their barrel cellar. Producer history and notes...Clos L’Eglise is one of the older chateaux in Pomerol dating back to the 18th century. The same time the farmhouse that is still in use was constructed. At the time, Chateau Clos L’Eglise was a larger estate. It once had been apart of the Gombaude Guillot. Eventually the estate was split in half. On one side of the street, you had Chateau Clos l’Eglise; which was owned by the Rouchut family. Across the street sat Chateau Clos l’Eglise-Clinet, which was owned by the Mauleon family. After awhile, Clos l’Eglise Clinet eventually changed its name to Chateau l’Eglise Clinet which also simultaneously gave birth to what we know today as Clos L’Eglise. While the wines are now produced by Helene Garcin that was not always the case with Clos L’Eglise. At one point, the estate produced wines under a leasing arrangement held by the Rouchut family. The modern era of Clos L’Eglise began in 1975, when the property facilities were all redesigned and modernized by the Moreau family. The Moreau’s also owned Chateau Plince. The old, non temperature controlled wood tanks were replaced by stainless steel. The vineyards were also expanded. Instead of buying more vines, the owners simply planted land that was being used as a pasture. Imagine now, Pomerol land being used to feed cattle. In the past, the property was planted with a much larger percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, near 20%. All the Cabernet Sauvignon vines were eventually ripped out and replaced by Merlot. The next step of it's evolution took place in 1997 when the Right Bank estate was sold to Sylvaine Garcin Cathiard by the Moreau family. If the Cathiard name sounds family, she is the sister of Daniel Cathiard, the owner of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The sale set a new benchmark price for Pomerol when it sold for 12 million Euros! Today that price would be laughable! Prior to 2000, that was considered a huge price for Pomerol. Further investment was needed to replace the aging concrete vats and again modernize the facilities. In fact, the first vintage of Clos L’Eglise made by Helene Garcin was produced at Haut Bergey in Pessac Leognan. Helene Garcin also manages two estates in St. Emilion, Chateau Barde Haut, Chateau Poesia (Mendoza, Argentina) and Branon, which is situated in Pessac Leognan. Helene Garcin was put in charge of the property. She hired Michel Rolland as a consultant and a complete renovation of the facilities took place. Michel Rolland was eventually replaced by Alain Raynaud. Starting with the 2015 vintage, Thomas Duclos recently replaced Alain as the consultant. Their property is nearly 6 hectares. L’Eglise soils are rich clay, gravel and iron. It's located on a sloping hill near Chateau Clinet, Chateau L’Eglise Clinet and Chateau Trotanoy. Clos L’Eglise is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 35 years of age. There is one old parcel of Cabernet Franc that was planted in the 1940’s. Vinification of Clos L’Eglise takes place in 55 hectoliter, insulated, stainless steel tanks. The new steel tanks replaced the oak vats in 2012. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. Clos L’Eglise is aged in 100% new French oak for between 16 and 18 months. The property also has a second wine, Esprit de L’Eglise. On average, about 1,200 cases of Clos L’Eglise are produced every year. — 8 years ago

Darren Guillaume

9.5

What can I say about this beautiful Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, other than vines are 40-87 years and aged on lees for 10-14 months 60% oak casks, and 20% barrels. How about having the complexity and finish of a Château Smith Haut Lafitte without the need for Sémillon. Wow! — 9 years ago

Hermine Benard

9.0

Brick, light robe. Haut Medoc, same area as Lafitte-Rothschild. Leather, tobacco, dry red fruit. Great with filet mignon, no sauce. Grown on deep gravel = perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon. Very good — 10 years ago

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.9

Under same ownership as Smith-Haut-Lafitte, where it too is made. Grapes are hand picked and sorted before and after destemming. Aged 14 months in oak, 39% new barrels, no racking. — 11 years ago

Ashley Martzen

9.1

Ultra-dry, harrowing. Almost too lonely. Imma still drank it. — 8 years ago

Diêgo Martins

9.1

Meu primeiro #chateauneufdepape. E não é da Olivier e Lafont. É do Jean Laffite. Achei bem equilibrado no frutado, no álcool e na acidez. Bem do bom. — 8 years ago

Heriberto Andersen

9.5

Heriberto had this 9 years ago

Dr Bob

9.3

2009 was amazing!!! Still great, but need to drink them up! — 9 years ago

Jordi Pazo

9.2

Human Tast.
07.03.16 — 9 years ago

Matthew Beckman

9.7

Stunning...not great wines, but great bottles. We had a winner! An incredible olfactory experience...at the beginning currants, cigar, mint...then iron and cherry. In the top 3 BDX I've ever tasted. Tasted alongside 96 Giacosa, 85 Krug, 98 Latour a Pomerol, 95 Smith Haut Lafitte — 9 years ago

B

10

Magnum 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Drank w K at M School auction in Napa. Amazing. Such a great contrast to the 1989 Haut Brion. This didn't have that gamey character. Smooth, less acid, velvet mouthfeel and long finish. Epic. Hands down winner. Such a treat — 10 years ago

Sandra Corona

10

Bordeux 2009 — 12 years ago

Martijn

9.0

This is simply good champagne. Already for 10 years we drink this as aperative. Nice beads, good color, citrus and brioche. Well balanced. Good PQR. — 8 years ago

Mackenzie

9.4

Dregs: Roasted red pepper, light on its feet--still — 8 years ago

DeLaine Emmert

9.2

How can you go wrong with a 95 Lafitte! — 9 years ago

Jason Gallo-Gaffner

9.0

Too young. But tasty. Like a knock off smith haut lafitte — 9 years ago

Melody cohen

9.4

Major pineapple and passionfruit. Having it with a mascarpone and peach sorbet dessert and it is DELIGHTFUL. Flavorful enough, yet not overpowering. Body light and lovely. Good balance. — 9 years ago

Arnaud Bonnet

10

1959 vintage... Incredibly young !!!!!!!!!! — 10 years ago

Kyle Doucet-Walter

9.0

Dried cherry, dried violet petals, leather, clove, dried mushrooms. Tannins are very supple and integrated. Lovely. — 10 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.5

from wine collection of the Cathiard — 12 years ago