Château L'Eglise Clinet

Wine Spectator

86 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/1999

A very good glass of claret, if slightly one-dimensional and lacking elegance. Pretty aromas of earth, spice and raisins. Medium-bodied, with an earthy, fruity aftertaste. The alcohol shows a bit on the finish.--L'Eglise Clinet vertical. Best after 2000.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

L'Eglise-Clinet is one of the best-situated vineyards in Pomerol, and proprietor/winemaker, Denis Durantou, is one of the most meticulous producers in Bordeaux. The vineyard is composed of tracts of very old vines (one planted in 1930). The wine, which is made from extremely small yields of two tons per acre, is normally a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, all of it aged in 60% new oak casks. The 1994 exhibits a saturated dark ruby/purple color, as well as a tight but promising nose of ripe cherries, mulberries, and currants, along with a vague notion of black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, with pure fruit, a layered impression, and stubborn tannin in the muscular finish, this wine is not as charming as the more forward 1993. A larger-scaled, richer wine, the 1994 requires 5-6 years of cellaring. An impressive 1994. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2022.

Wine Advocate

90-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1996

This 1994 continues to demonstrate that it is a likely candidate to surpass the estate's beautiful 1990 as the finest wine produced at L'Eglise-Clinet since 1985. The opaque purple color is followed by impressively intense, jammy aromas of black fruits, truffles, underbrush, and subtle new oak. Sexy and rich, with low acidity, an opulent texture, and a stunning concentration of ripe fruit, all crammed into a well-built, multi-layered, fleshy wine, this brilliant effort should drink well when released, as well as over the next 15-18 years.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1995

This is the finest L'Eglise-Clinet made since the estate's exceptional 1985. The wine possesses an impressive saturated purple color, super aromatics in the cassis-scented nose, wonderfully succulent, full-bodied, unctuously-textured, expansive, jammy flavors that coat the palate, and a full-bodied, terrific finish. As the wine sits in the glass some tannin emerges from behind the cascade of fruit. Look for this large-scaled, immensely impressive, beautifully balanced L'Eglise-Clinet to drink well in 3-5 years and last for 20 or more.