Clos l'Eglise 2014

While I wasn’t able to taste the 2015, I purchased a bottle of the 2014 Clos l’Eglise in the US for this report. This is a ripe, opulent, sexy wine from Helene Garcin’s tiny estate in Pomerol and is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels. Notes of blackcurrants, smoked plums, mocha, and hints of spicy oak all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless, and incredibly charming 2014 that’s already drinking beautifully, yet promises to keep for another 15+ years. 2018 - 2033

There's a succulent feel to the warm raspberry and boysenberry confiture notes in this very fleshy red, with lots of black tea and singed cinnamon flavors filling in on the finish. This is grippy, very polished and fresh in feel. Best from 2020 through 2030. 1,250 cases made.

The 2014 Clos l’Eglise is tightly wound on the nose, requiring some coaxing, revealing red berry fruit, dark chocolate, truffle and light espresso aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation, a little more precision than the prior vintage. It is almost creamy in texture towards the lactic finish that dissipates with aeration, gaining precision/tension. A forerunner for recent successes, this is a pretty and quite alluring Pomerol. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical.

Exotic aromas of blueberries, flowers and tangerines. So perfumed. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and refined finish. Lovely length. Drink in 2020 but already delicious.

The Clos l’Eglise 2014 was picked on 23 September until the 27 September with the last parcel of Cabernet Franc, matured in 100% new oak in 300- and 500-liter barrels. It has a well-defined, expressive bouquet already with subtle wet clay scents infusing the black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of violet developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, perhaps a little pinched compared to their Barde-Haut ’14 with sappy black fruit on the finish. This is broody and introspective compared to recent vintages, although there is impressive length here and it may merit a higher score after bottling. As I said, at the moment, I would bet on Hélène Garçin-Léveque's Barde-Haut in Saint Emilion being the one to seek out. Drink: 2019 - 2032