L'Eglise Clinet 2023 (750ML)

99 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Profound violet aromas with hints of ash and crushed stones, alongside mussel shells, purple fruit and iodine. Medium- to full-bodied, showing plush, silky texture and a length and depth that go on and on. So caressing. The density of fruit is really something, taking you into the soul of the wine. The harmonious balance leaves you satisfied and thoughtful. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Best after 2029 but already a joy to taste. Drink or hold." 12/25

93-95 Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: "The 2023 L'Eglise Clinet unwinds in the glass with brooding aromas of dark berries and cherries mingled with baking chocolate, pipe tobacco and toasty new oak. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, with a sweet core of fruit framed by rich, powdery, generously extracted tannin, it's broad-shouldered and powerful, concluding with a long, expansive finish. It's a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that checks in at 14.6% alcohol." 04/24

97 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: “The 2023 L'Eglise-Clinet was potentially one of the wines of the vintage after its sublime performance from barrel. Now in bottle since May after maturation in 82% new oak, it has a seamless bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, veins of blue fruit mixed with violet and iris petal, hints of black truffle emerging with time. The palate delivers with that intense, quite mineral-driven smorgasbord of red fruit that gently grip the palate. Wonderful backbone, very precise with a sustained finish, this is a brilliant L'Eglise-Clinet from Noëmie Durantou that should give 30 to 40 years' drinking pleasure." 02/26

97 Points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux: "Rises through the palate, intense and concentrated with cloves, pomegranate, black pepper, cumin, rosemary, rich black fruits balanced and given lift and contrast by nuanced and fresher raspberry leaf, tomato leaf, saline squid ink, and fresh citrus peel acidities. This has cohesion, precision, lift and character. Noëmie Durantou winemaker. Harvest September 1 to 18. 42hl/h yield." 04/24

95-97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com: “The Grand Vin 2023 Château L'Eglise Clinet checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that's resting in 82% new barrels. It brings another level of density as well as purity, with fabulous notes of cassis, ripe black cherries, chocolate, smoked tobacco, iron, and spice, as well as a kiss of background graphite. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, yet very much in the vibrant, fresh, classic style of the vintage, it has ripe tannins and a gorgeous finish. It shines on all accounts, offering beautiful purity and complexity and plenty of richness, and it should have a broad, lengthy drink window.” 05/24

94-97 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: “The 2023 L’Eglise-Clinet is fabulous. Rich, deep and vertical in structure, this is all poise. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are impeccably balanced. Time in the glass helps this open a bit, but the 2023 is a wine of reserve—a wine that is not showing all its cards. Gravel, incense, tobacco, dried herbs and mocha open with some coaxing. This will be stellar in time.” 04/24

97-99 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent: “A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, L’Eglise-Clinet 2023 has a pH of 3.7. It is deep garnet-purple in color and opens with an initial burst of gregarious fruit, with blueberry preserves and ripe, juicy plums giving way to perfumed waves of lilacs, cinnamon stick, star anise, crushed rocks, and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly coiled at this stage with the taut, intense black and blue fruit core intertwined with minerals and exotic spices, supported by firm, rounded tannins and compelling tension, finishing very long and fragrant. A head-turner!” 05/24