Wine Advisor
Clos L'Eglise Pomerol 1997
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A breakthrough effort for Clos l'Eglise, this is the greatest wine I have ever tasted from this estate. The new owners, the Garcins, have done everything right - harvesting ripe fruit, mandating a strict selection, and eschewing fining and filtration at bottling. The 1997 is a sumptuous, extremely concentrated, multidimensional wine that will make believers out of tasters. This is an exotic effort with a dense ruby/purple color, and a fascinating nose of plum liqueur intermixed with blackberries, coffee, mocha, and chocolate. Sumptuously-textured, with full body, great fruit purity, and a long, layered, velvety finish, this exquisite wine can be drunk after bottling, or cellared for 15-18 years. Bravo!
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Under new proprietor, Gaston Garcin-Cathiard and his wife, Clos l'Eglise's 1997 vintage has proven to be a resounding success. A blend of 40% Cabernet Franc and 60% Merlot, this is the finest Clos l'Eglise I have ever tasted! Historically, Clos l'Eglise has been an herbaceous, thin wine. Yet in one year, an ugly duckling has been transformed into a beauty. The color is dense ruby/purple. The knock-out nose is evolved, but compelling. Aromas of sweet jammy black cherry liqueur and plump fruit are nicely complemented by smoky new oak. Round and medium to full-bodied, with a voluptuous richness and opulent texture, this hedonistic, low acid, plump, fleshy Pomerol is sexy and hedonistic. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2012. Kudos to the new proprietors for turning around this moribund property. A big-time sleeper!
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1997 was the first vintage after the Garcin family had acquired the property. It has a slightly cloudy brick core. The nose is very Burgundian: more rustic than recent wines but full of charm with scents of iron rust, dried herbs and a touch of sea salt lacing the red-berried fruit. It is rounded in the mouth, fully mature and possesses a light structure though with good acidity. However it seems advanced for its age, leathery with touches of mushroom and a spicy, cardamom-tinged finish. Drink now. Tasted May 2009.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
One of the few stars of this soft, consumer-friendly vintage, Clos l'Eglise has fashioned a dark ruby/purple-colored, sexy wine with ostentatious aromas of mocha, fudge, coffee, and sweet berry fruit intermixed with toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, opulently-textured, with low acidity, abundant glycerin, and lovely fruit, this is a triumph for the vintage. Drink this gorgeous Pomerol over the next 12-15 years.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Lots of mushroom and bark character. Some coffee and fruit undertones. Full-bodied, velvety and flavorful. Juicy finish.
