Clos L'Eglise 2021 (3.0L)

92-94 JD / 91-93 WA / 91-93 VM / 89-91 WI

Always one of my favorite wines from the Garcin family, the 2021 Clos L'Eglise is beautiful stuff that brings ample richness and depth as well as plenty of classic Pomerol sexiness. Lots of ripe berry fruits, chocolate, chalky minerality and tobacco notes define the bouquet at this young stage, and it's medium-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't have the mid-palate density or opulence of the 2020 (or 2018), but it's a remarkable, elegant, beautiful Pomerol that will have two decades of longevity. - Jeb Dunnuck

The fleshiest, most dramatic wine in the Garçin-Léveque portfolio is the 2021 Clos l'Eglise, a medium to full-bodied, broad and velvety Pomerol that evokes notions of sweet cherries, berries, plums, raw cocoa and petals. Layered and seamless, it's derived from a 5.98-hectare vineyard opposite Eglise-Clinet that's planted with 80% Merlot, the balance Cabernet Franc. -William Kelley, Wine Advocate

The 2021 Clos l’Eglise was picked September 27–30 and registers 13.5% alcohol without chaptalization. Matured in around 60% new oak (a lower proportion than 15 years ago), it has a ripe red plum and red currant bouquet plus touch of licorice and allspice. The palate is quite concentrated, perhaps showing a tad more finesse than the aromatics at this stage. Quite grippy on the midpalate, leading to a cooler finish than the nose implies. Very fine. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

The 2021 Clos l'Eglise is made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, aged in 60-70% new oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it storms out of the glass with a serious nose of ripe black plums, tar, and tilled soil, leading to suggestions of black truffles, graphite, and cracked pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a firm structure of firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, framing the muscular black fruits, finishing earthy. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent