Wine Advisor
Clos L'Eglise Pomerol 2009
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2009 is one of the sexiest wines in Pomerol in this vintage, offering up notes of melted caramel, sweet mocha, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with hints of loamy soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco as well as a touch of white chocolate and some subtle toasty oak. Round, opulent and unctuously textured, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous purity, and no hard edges, this sumptuous, fleshy, lavishly rich Pomerol can be drunk now and over the next 25 years. Starting with the resurrection of this property in 1998, I have long been a huge fan of Helene Garcin’s older vintages of Clos l’Eglise, so I am hard-pressed to say that the 2009 Clos l’Eglise (virtually all Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc) could be any better than her brilliant efforts in such vintages as 2000, 2001 and 2005.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This has a fine, reserved but very well defined nose with pure blackcurrant and raspberry, developing some fine minerally notes with tie in the glass. Very fresh and vital. The palate is medium-bodied, well balanced, just a little hardness on the entry at the moment but that will soften with time. Grippy tannins on the finish, much more backward than either the 2007 and 2008 with a tobacco laced focused finish. Impressive, but definitely a vin de garde Pomerol. Tasted March 2010.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
After the brilliant 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2005, I didn’t think proprietor Helene Garcin and consulting winemaker Dr. Alain Raynaud could do any better, but the 2009 Clos l’Eglise may turn out to be superior to the aforementioned vintages. An extraordinary wine of compelling intensity, opulence, and breadth of flavor, it possesses a dark purple color as well as copious aromas of sweet mocha, coffee-infused blackberry and black cherry fruit, and no hint of oak. Fleshy and extravagantly rich with terrific purity and precision, it is a very full-bodied, powerful Pomerol that should drink well for 25+ years. (Tasted two times.)
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the Syndicat de Pomerol. What a great wine this is! The nose is a little closed but unravels to reveal blackberry, soy, truffle and granite. The palate has immense grip and superb concentration, with spicy red fruits and an arching tannic structure on the finish underpinned by layers of concentration. Excellent. Tasted November 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2009 Clos l’Eglise is a little stunner. It has a ravishing bouquet with opulent dark cherry, cassis and blueberry fruit interlaced with a touch of vanilla. It is modern in style for sure, but exuding finesse and class. The palate is full-bodied with succulent tannins. The 2009 is more voluptuous than the 2005 with very sweet candied fruit and a rounded, velvety smooth finish. Tasted May 2012.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Wow – a stellar performance of the Clos l’Eglise that came near the top of a very strong flight. This has a stunning bouquet with brilliant definition – extremely pure and refined with an almost pixelated quality. The palate is medium-bodied with beautiful, silky smooth tannins. It is utterly refined, harmonious, caressing, compelling and delivers everything you could ask for in a Pomerol wine. Tasted January 2013.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
(a blend of 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc; 14.5% alcohol) Inky purple. Dark plum and sweet spices (cinnamon, nutmeg) on the nose, lifted by a floral component. Chewy and broad but precise, with the ripe blueberry and smoky plum flavors given precision by sound acidity and a hint of minerality. The floral element provides back-end lift to the wine, which finishes with mouthcoating tannins. This pushes the extraction envelope even further than some recent vintages, and though it's a very good wine it lacks some of the excitement and charm of the very best '09 Pomerols.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2009 Clos l’Eglise is well defined, focused and energetic on the nose. Brambly red berry fruit lace up with black truffle, sous-bois, mint and crushed stone. The palate is very well balanced with melted tannins, a fine bead of acidity. Harmonious with layers of raspberry coulis, strawberry, white pepper and sage. Fine precision on the finish, this 2009 is à point and should continue to improve. Excellent. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good full, deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, black cherry, truffle, minerals and wild herbs. Huge and lush yet somehow balanced, with harmonious acidity and a firm mineral underpinning giving energy and definition to the sweet mid-palate. The wine's impeccable fruit shows a captivating exotic aspect. The resounding finish features ripe tannins that coat the front teeth and outstanding lingering sweetness. The best bottle I've yet tasted from this chateau.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2009 is one of the sexiest wines in Pomerol in this vintage, offering up notes of melted caramel, sweet mocha, blackberry and black cherry fruit, with hints of loamy soil and unsmoked cigar tobacco as well as a touch of white chocolate and some subtle toasty oak. Round, opulent and unctuously textured, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous purity, and no hard edges, this sumptuous, fleshy, lavishly rich Pomerol can be drunk now and over the next 25 years. Starting with the resurrection of this property in 1998, I have long been a huge fan of Helene Garcin’s older vintages of Clos l’Eglise, so I am hard-pressed to say that the 2009 Clos l’Eglise (virtually all Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc) could be any better than her brilliant efforts in such vintages as 2000, 2001 and 2005.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is a layered and very muscular red with a powerful tannin structure and gorgeous ripe yet fresh fruit. Full-bodied, layered and very exciting. Needs four or five years to come around still.
