Château L'Eglise Clinet 2017

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Château L'Eglise Clinet 2017

Tasting

Color

The color displays a deep, intense garnet-purple hue.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and multifaceted, revealing intense aromas of black fruit (stewed plums, black cherries, blueberries) alongside refined notes of black truffle, forest floor, and sweet tobacco. Floral nuances of violet and eucalyptus complete this aromatic palette, together with hints of chocolate, mocha, and spice.

Palate

On the palate, the wine offers a medium- to full-bodied profile, powerful yet perfectly balanced. Black fruit is expressed generously, supported by fine, silky tannins that are remarkably rounded. Freshness and lift bring energy to the whole, while the elegant tannic structure promises excellent aging potential. The finish lingers with persistent fruity, spicy, and mineral notes.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Pomerol is an ideal match for grilled or roasted red meats, notably ribeye steak and strip steak. It also pairs beautifully with game such as duck, venison, or wild boar, particularly when prepared with mushroom or red fruit sauces. Aged soft cheeses also make a harmonious pairing.

Serving and Cellaring

Château L'Eglise Clinet 2017 can be enjoyed now but will gain in complexity over time. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 16-17°C. Decanting for one hour will allow the wine to open up fully and reveal its full aromatic range.

An elegant, structured Pomerol

The estate

Created in 1882 through the blending of parcels from Clos l'Église and Clinet Voisin, Château L'Église-Clinet is a benchmark of Pomerol, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank. Located in the heart of the Pomerol appellation, this estate Adopting its current name in 1955, the property, now led by Noémie Durantou (the Durantou family), farms 4.5 to 5.5 hectares at the heart of the plateau, on sloping, well-drained clay-gravel soils.

The vineyard

The Château L'Eglise Clinet vineyard occupies a privileged position on the Pomerol plateau, close to the Saint-Jean church. The vines are rooted in iron-rich clay-gravel soils, naturally sloping, offering optimal drainage. This clay-limestone composition proves particularly favorable to Merlot, which benefits from the freshness and water-retention capacity of these terroirs. Southern exposure and altitude naturally protect the vines from frost. The vines have an average age of over 40 years, with some Cabernet Franc parcels dating back to 1935.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage proved particularly challenging in Bordeaux, marked by devastating frosts in April that significantly reduced yields across the region. While the Château L'Eglise Clinet vineyard was spared from frost, summer drought nevertheless led to a production decrease of around 20%. Harvest took place from September 12 to 22 for Merlot and from September 22 onward for Cabernet Franc. Despite these difficult conditions, the terroir’s exceptional drainage enabled the vines to maintain their vigor while producing concentrated, perfectly ripe grapes.

Winemaking and aging

Hand harvesting allows for rigorous berry selection. After complete destemming, the grapes are vinified parcel by parcel in temperature-controlled stainless steel or concrete vats. Regular pump-overs and punch-downs promote optimal extraction of tannins and aromas. Château L'Eglise Clinet 2017 is then aged for 15 to 18 months in French oak barrels, around 70% of which are new, carefully selected according to the characteristics of each parcel. The final blend takes place after malolactic fermentation.

Grape varieties

Merlot (90%)
Cabernet Franc (10%)