Wine Advisor
Clos L'Eglise Pomerol 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2012 possesses a creamy texture along with a big, sweet bouquet of mulberry and black cherry fruit judiciously touched by smoky oak, graphite and forest floor notes. Round and generously endowed with a dense plum/purple color, fragrant aromatics, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and silky tannins, it should age effortlessly for 12-15 years. Proprietor Helene Garcin-Leveque has fashioned another gorgeous wine from her 15-acre vineyard planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. She also does a terrific job at her Pessac-Leognan estates of Haut-Bergey and Branon in addition to the St.-Emilion estate of Barde-Haut. This property has been on a qualitative hot streak since the late 1990s.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Grand Vin was picked from 26th until 28th September, including 15% Cabernet Franc. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires patience, opening with aeration to reveal marine-tinged red and black fruit, with subtle floral notes. The oak is very well integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent entry, plenty of sweet red fleshy fruit laced with white pepper and a touch of spice on the finish. There is good substance here with fine grip on the finish. This will have long-term potential. Tasted April 2013.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2012 Clos l'Eglise is a beautiful blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from Hélène Garcin (whose family owns Barde-Haut, Branon and Haut-Bergey, as well as the Malbec producer in Argentina called Poesia). She has done a phenomenal job at this estate since the late 1990s. Rich, chunky, coffee, mocha and berry fruit jump from the glass of this medium-bodied wine that shows excellent fruit intensity, soft tannins and a juicy, round, mouthfeel. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Clos L'Eglise is wonderfully lifted in the glass, with plenty of Cabernet Franc aromatics woven throughout a core juicy, layered fruit. Rose petal, mint, cinnamon and sweet red berries grace the palate. Exquisite and beautifully nuanced throughout, the 2012 offers exceptional balance, with polished, silky tannins that round out the creamy finish. The 2012 is quite open today, but it could use another few years to soften further. The 2012 is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Proprietor Hélène Garcin and her husband Patrice Leveque continue to raise the bar here and at their other properties in the region.
Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata
Deep purple-ruby. Brooding nose hints at dark cherry, violet and pepper. Starts sappy and juicy, with accessible, ripe black cherry, pepper and spice flavors, then turns mountingly tannic on the back half. Finishes with firm, dusty tannins that will require considerable patience. This serious Pomerol will likely develop more slowly than many other Right Bank wines from this vintage.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2012 Clos l'Eglise possesses quite expressive Cabernet Franc on the nose, cedar and tobacco scents filtering through the black fruit, cohering nicely in the glass. The oak is better assimilated than some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, fine tannins and lightly spiced with good weight. Fresh on the finish, this Pomerol has a skip in its step. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2012 Clos l’Eglise has a similar bouquet to the previous vintage with quite vivacious red berry fruit, marmalade, singed leather and light star anis aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, showing a little more backbone compared to the 2011. With moderate depth and touches of dark chocolate towards the finish, this represents a fine 2012 Pomerol, albeit with the pedigree of the 2010 or 2015. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Wow. This is really gorgeous and sexy with super integrated tannins, juicy rich fruit and a bright acidity. It gives an impression of being seamless on the palate.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
On the nose and palate this red suggests blackberries and plums with roasted-coffee-bean notes. Full body, chewy tannins, good acidity and a fruity finish. Very serious for the vintage. Drink in 2017.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A very balanced and pretty red with walnut, chocolate and dark-berry character. Green olives, too. Medium to full body and fine tannins. A delicious and pretty wine.
1990(2)1997(1)1998(1)2000(2)2004(1)2005(3)2006(3)2008(1)2009(3)2010(2)2011(1)
Package Size
1 x 3L
