L'Eglise Clinet Pomerol 2021

99 points/'Top 100 Wines of 2024 (#80),' James Suckling: "Extremely complex and subtle with blackberries, wild forest fruits, orange peel, bark and mushroom on the nose. Perfumed. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are polished and extremely long, going on for minutes. Structured and layered yet compressed on the finish. Some terra-cotta and stoney undertones. This shows old-vine character and the essence of 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc. Give this three or four years in bottle, but it’s surprisingly attractive now. (7/8/24)"

96 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc). Carved, precise and energetic, I described this as intellectual during En Primeur, and I stand by that assessment now. Waves of cloves and liqourice root, fine tannins, blueberry, redcurrant, tobacco, red rose petals, blackberry, mandarin zest, slate minerality. This can be approached earlier than many L'Eglise Clinet, maybe 7 or 8 years after harvest, but it will still be revealing new facets after 15 or 20 years. Harvest September 27 to 29, no chaptilisation, 75% new oak. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2028-2044. (11/22/23)"

96 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "A dark, serious brooding nose full of black fruits, truffle, rose, violet and dark chocolate. The palate is different however giving succulent and lively red fruits - sweet/sour strawberries and red cherries, so fresh and sincere, so perfectly presented with the bitter touches balanced against sweetness, racy acidity and fine tannins. An easy-to-like wine, with personality and style and just a feeling of pure joy about it! Not rich, heavy or opulent but taking the most joyous elements from the vintage and putting them the glass, still with structure and depth. Great winemaking on show by Noëmie Durantou Reilhac. Ageing in 70% new oak. Drinking Window: 2027-2045. (Apr 2022)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 L’Eglise-Clinet is stellar. Dark, dense and also a touch somber, the 2021 is laced with generous black fruit, gravel, spice, new leather, licorice and incense. Readers will have to give this time to come together. I especially admire its substance, textural resonance and overall balance. Readers lucky enough to own the 2021 can look forward to years of exceptional drinking once the tannins soften a bit. Drinking Window: 2031-2061. (Feb 2024)"

96 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Elegance, freshness, refinement, and concentrated, layers of plums, black cherries, chocolate, flowers, wet earth, along with a hint of espresso come together in the nose, and on the palate. There is ample depth, vibrancy, freshness, and complexity with a chalky edge to the finish that wraps everything up perfectly. The wine blends 85% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. It is great to see continuing strong wines from the Durantou family. This gem is one of the wines of the vintage, and not much was produced. If this is your thing, grab it now! Drink from 2026-2055. (3/9/24)"

95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2021 L'Eglise-Clinet is a wine that I gave five to ten minutes to open in the glass. It is worth being patient, as it responds with gorgeous black cherries, blueberry and violet scents, hints of crushed stone and a subtle marine element emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with blackberry, boysenberry, oyster shell and blood orange. Very harmonious and almost Lafleur-like in style (no surprise given their proximity, though less Cabernet Franc in the blend here) with a persistent finish, this is a contender for Right Bank of the vintage, perhaps even the best Bordeaux from both Banks. Drink: 2029-2060. (Feb 2024)"

95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, L’Eglise-Clinet 2021 was aged in 75% new oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and strides confidently out of the glass with bold notes of juicy black plums, Morello cherries, and wild blueberries, plus suggestions of licorice, violets, and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate has a plush texture and bags of freshness framing the bright, expressive black and red berry flavors, finishing long with a spicy lift. Beautiful! Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2027-2045. (4/23/24)"