2018 Château l'Eglise-Clinet Pomerol

The 2018 Château l'Eglise-Clinet Pomerol is a benchmark Right Bank Bordeaux, crafted from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and aged in 70% new French oak barriques. This is a deeply expressive, ageworthy wine that marries Pomerol’s plush, dark fruit with remarkable tension, precision and length. Sitting on some of the appellation’s most prized clay-and-gravel soils, right beside the legendary Petrus, l’Eglise-Clinet has long been one of the most coveted names in Pomerol, and 2018 is a standout vintage even by its lofty standards.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 l’Eglise-Clinet is a dense, radiant ruby-red with a nearly opaque core and a youthful, vibrant rim. The nose opens with an evocative, earthy perfume: forest floor, wild mushrooms, damp mossy bark and a distinct mineral impression of wet river stones. With air, layers of black raspberry, plum conserve and fresh blueberry emerge, accented by hints of lavender, clove and subtle spice from the new oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied yet wonderfully energetic, with a slow release of dark fruit and savory, earthy nuances. Ripe blackberries, black raspberries and dark plum are wrapped in ultra-fine, ripe tannins that feel silky but structured, giving the wine both immediate charm and serious backbone. There is a striking line of freshness that drives the flavors long across the palate, finishing with epic length, precision and a whisper of spice and florality. While already captivating in its youth, this 2018 will truly unfurl its complexity with time; it is best given another 5–6 years in the cellar and has the potential to evolve beautifully for 40 years or more.

Production
Château l’Eglise-Clinet’s 4.2 hectares of vines sit in the heart of Pomerol on the famed clay and gravel plateau, a terroir perfectly suited to Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The proximity to Château Petrus underlines the exceptional nature of these soils, which provide both power and finesse. Grapes for the 2018 were harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, parcel by parcel, to preserve purity and balance. In the cellar, careful vinification in temperature-controlled vats allows for gentle extraction of color, aromatics and tannin. The blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc was then matured in 70% new French oak barriques, where the wine gained additional texture, aromatic complexity and depth without losing its underlying freshness and mineral drive.

Food & Serving
This Pomerol is a superb partner for refined, richly flavored dishes such as roast lamb with rosemary, beef tenderloin, duck breast, or veal in truffle jus. It also pairs beautifully with game birds, mushroom-based dishes, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and elegance. Decanting for 2–3 hours in its youth is strongly recommended to allow the wine to open fully; as it matures, a shorter decant will suffice mainly to separate any sediment and gently awaken the aromatics.

Producer
Château l’Eglise-Clinet is one of Pomerol’s most illustrious and respected estates, with roots reaching back to the 19th century. The property took its modern form in the mid-20th century through the merging of vineyards owned by the Mauléon and Rouchut families, and it has since become a reference point for the appellation. Located in the very heart of Pomerol on the Right Bank of the Dordogne, its vineyards border those of the world-famous Château Petrus, underscoring the exceptional pedigree of its terroir. Over the decades, l’Eglise-Clinet has garnered a reputation for producing profound, long-lived wines that consistently rank among the top wines of Bordeaux, highly sought after by collectors and praised by critics for their depth, precision and unmistakable sense of place.

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