L'Eglise Clinet 2017 (750ML)

98 JS / 98 WI / 97 VM

#24 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of France 2020

Extremely enticing aromas of blackberries, brambleberries, sweet tobacco, bark and mushrooms follow through to a medium to full body that grows on the palate and crescendoes to medium, round tannins, juicy fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Rolls along the palate. Excellent, persistent finish. Try after 2024, but already a joyous glass - James Suckling

A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, L’Eglise-Clinet 2017 has a deep garnet-purple color. Wow – it starts off with a very impressive, showy nose of black cherry compote, black raspberries, and warm black plums, plus suggestions of black truffles, underbrush, and lilacs. Full-bodied, the palate bursts with expressive black fruit preserves and floral layers, supported by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and incredibly fragrant. Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

The 2017 L'Eglise-Clinet is dark, sensual and wonderfully rich. It opens with a silky, captivating bouquet laced with the essence of dried flowers, mocha, chocolate, spice and blackberry jam. While L'Eglise-Clinet is light on its feet for such a big, imposing wine, the 2017 is going to need a number of years to come into its own. Even in the early going, though, it is super-impressive. Revisiting it with a bit of air reveals a Pomerol of soaring intensity and explosive energy and vivid, striking beauty. I loved it. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media