L'Eglise Clinet 2015 (1.5L)

100 DE / 98-99 JS / 96-98 WA / 95-97 AG / 94-97 WS

The things that differentiate the good from the truly great are layers and persistence. And here, Durantou manages not just layers, but new flavours that manage to flood in and fill any available gap. So we have cassis and bilberry, with damson, charcoal, liquorice and pure blackberry juice filling the crevices between. This is a vertical wine, and yet stretches out to the horizon. It's going to age and age, and then some more. What a perfectly taut and thrilling wine, one that stakes a claim for greatness in 2015. - Jane Anson, Decanter

Lively and energized. Full body, intense and dense tannins. Great wine. Goes on for minutes. Such focus and clarity. James Suckling

The 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, picked between 21-25 September at 41 hl/ha and matured in 70% new oak. Denis Durantou poured two samples for me. First from Darnajou barrel. Here, a very composed, effortless bouquet with extremely pure raspberry coulis, strawberry, almost confit-like scents that display ethereal delineation. This is not a powerful or intense bouquet, rather one that is sophisticated and refined, bunches of violet emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, crisp acidity, mineral-rich and tensile. There is tangible energy and refinement on the finish that lingers long and tenderly in the mouth, a wine constantly having something more to say. The second came from Demptos barrel. This was deeper on the nose, showing a touch more fruit, slightly higher toned. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, structured in the mouth, perhaps the barrel impressing its character more on the wine than the Darnajou. Together, they should combine to create a quite magical 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet. Drink 2022-2045 - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

Denis Durantou's 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet is magnificent. A wine that has it all, the 2015 is vertical, dense and also remarkably translucent, all at the same time. The purity, freshness and energy of the 2015 is remarkable and yet the wine has immense depth. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2015 carries considerable tannic heft. In 2015 L'Eglise-Clinet is a wine of stature and true pedigree. The 2015 is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought in between September 21 and 25. Don't miss it. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Very restrained and graceful now, this has serious cut and persistence to the blood orange, bitter cherry and plum fruit flavors. Shows a minerally edge through the finish, with ample flesh that should expand a bit more with the elevage. Fresh and long. James Molesworth, Wine Spectator