Wine Advisor
L'Eglise Clinet 1997
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The forward 1997 l'Eglise-Clinet exhibits low acidity, a saturated ruby/purple color, medium body, and gobs of jammy black cherry fruit intermixed with cassis, truffles, raspberries, and smoke. Fruit-driven, with plenty of glycerin, and fine length, this seductive, soft, velvety-textured wine should drink well for 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Along with Petrus, Lafleur, Trotanoy, Clinet, l'Evangile, Le Pin, Bon Pasteur, and possibly Clos l'Eglise, the 1997 l'Eglise-Clinet is one of the most complete Pomerols of the vintage. This low acid, amazingly rich, black/purple-colored wine offers intense aromas of black raspberries, cassis, kirsch liqueur, as well as subtle scents of underbrush, truffles, and toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied and rich, with an unctuous texture, this is one of the vintage's few superstars. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2020. A remarkable wine for the vintage!
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted single blind at FINE magazine’s vertical in Dusseldorf. The Cabernet Franc comes through very strongly on the nose: chestnut, savoury fruit, smoked bacon. This is the youngest wine to show a little rusticity and perhaps just a touch of brett. The medium-bodied palate is well balanced and although there is very fine fruit concentration, the tannins are not as fine as more recent vintages and it becomes foursquare after time in the glass. Tasted February 2011.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A concentrated, seductive, and age-worthy offering, this dark ruby/purple-colored 1997 possesses gorgeous symmetry, abundant quantities of seductive black raspberry and cherry fruit, full body, a fat, chewy mid-palate, and roasted blackberries, coffee, and toasty oak in the finish. A superb effort for the vintage, it can be drunk now (because of its low acidity and sweet tannin), or cellared for 15+ years. Bravo!
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Château l'Eglise-Clinet 1997, served from an ex-château magnum, is certainly more fruit-driven and backward than many bottles that I have tasted over the years. It does not have a complex bouquet, but it doles out attractive kirsch, wild strawberry and truffle notes like there is no tomorrow. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin and it is here that the limitations of the vintage are felt. It feels light and for this mighty Pomerol, just a little ephemeral for me. It has an easy-drinking style that is pleasant, but it's really just warming up for the 1998. Tasted March 2015.
About the Producer
Château l'Eglise-Clinet is located in the Pomerol appellation on the right bank of Bordeaux, France, and is one of the most famous wineries in the Pomerol region. Château Clinet Chapel has a long history, dating back to the late 19th century. The Rouchut family, who ran Chateau Clos l'Eglise at the time, and the Constant family, who ran Chateau Clinet, decided to make wine together. Until 1950, the Bordeaux wines produced by these two families were sold under the name Château Claregelis. It was only after 1950 that their wines were given their current name, Château Clignet. Later, the Durantou family acquired Château Clignet. However, the owner was not keen on wine at the time and left everything to Pierre Lasserre, the owner of another Pomerol estate. Pierre Lasserre only had to give him half of the estate's income each year. This partnership has continued for 40 years. Today, Denis Durantou, a descendant of the Durantou family, is in charge of the estate. At present, Château Clignet has 5.5 hectares of vineyards. The soils are mainly gravel and clay, some of which are rich in iron. The vineyards of Château Clignet were spared from the 1956 frosts and the vines are on average 45 years old. The vineyard is planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc at a density of 6,500 vines per hectare. The vineyard is fertilised with an organic fertiliser mix every 5 years. The grapes are hand-picked when they are ripe at Château Clignet. After careful selection and crushing, the grapes are fermented in concrete and stainless steel containers for 15-21 days. After about October, the fermented wine is aged in new oak barrels for a period of 18 months. The main wine of Château Clinet is the Château l'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol, France. The wines are concentrated and rich, full-bodied, with pure fruit and exotic spice notes, particularly fresh and wonderful, making them unique among Bordeaux wines. In recent years, as the price of the wine has soared, so has the quality. Today, it is in the top tier of Pomerol.
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