2005 Chateau L'Eglise-Clinet

"The 2005 l’Eglise-Clinet was picked 9 to 23 September. The bouquet races out of the blocks with red berry fruit, brown spices, black truffle and a whiff of smoke. Give it several minutes in the glass and it develops some gorgeous floral aromas, iris and violet, gaining precision with every swirl. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin that frame layers of red fruit infused with tea leaf, bay leaf, a touch of white pepper and an almost ferrous finish that caresses gently. This has long been a deeply impressive l’Eglise-Clinet with a half-century lifespan. Tasted at the l’Eglise-Clinet vertical at the château in April 2018." ~ (97) Neal Martin, Vinous 7-23-2019

"Among the most saturated in color of all the 2005 Pomerols (which is saying something), this wine has a spectacular nose of licorice, mulberry, blackberry and sweet blue fruits. The new oak is completely hidden, the wine full-bodied, multi-layered and just stunning. The purity, richness and skyscraper-like mouthfeel are incredible. Give it another 5-10 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 30+ years." ~ (100) Robert M. Parker Jr., Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 6-28-2015

"Tasted blind. Bright crimson. Some ripe rose perfume on the nose. Big and sweet, if a bit brutal on the palate. Very concentrated. No delicate touch in the cellar! Pretty dramatic." ~ (17) Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com 3-9-2017

"Saturated ruby-red. Superripe, deep aromas of black cherry, mocha, bitter chocolate, licorice pastille and menthol; almost porty in its ripeness. Hugely concentrated and sweet, with perfectly integrated acidity giving shape and verve to the dark berry, violet and licorice flavors. A very powerful, ageworthy wine with terrific grip and flavor definition. The serious but fine tannins arrive very late and coat the front teeth. It will be fascinating to taste this alongside the great 1998 in a decade or so." ~ (95) Stephen Tanzer, Vinous 5-1-2008

"Dark ruby in color. Fabulous aromas of blackberry, tobacco, black olive and brown sugar follow through to a full body, with incredibly velvety tannins that go on and on and caress the palate for minutes. Shows class and complexity. Stunning. The greatest young wine ever from this producer. Best after 2016. 1,375 cases made." ~ (98) Wine Spectator, Wine Spectator 3-31-2008

"One of the greatest triumphs of the vintage: incredible violet nose, of a breadth and precision one can only dream about; sumptuous body, amazing finish. Virtuoso winemaking, from grapes harvested at optimum ripeness." ~ (19) Michel Bettane / Thierry Desseauve, World of Fine Wine 4-1-2006