2016 Chateau L'Eglise Clinet Pomerol 750 ml

The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux is widely considered to be one of the finest in recent memory, and the Château L’Eglise-Clinet has been universally praised by every major critic as one of the best of the bunch. We loved its youthful intensity and its dense, generous flavors of plum, cherry, and earthier notes. As stunning as it is already, the 2016 Château L’Eglise-Clinet has the structure to age until at least 2050.

In 2016, the château reached its peak: Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 100 points, gushing that this “monumental” red is “utterly perfect.” Antonio Galloni called it “quite clearly one of the wines of the vintage” in Vinous. The critical praise goes on and on. 

This is arguably the finest red that this land has produced in nearly 200 years, and a testament to the heights that world-class Merlot can achieve. For Bordeaux collectors and fans of decadent, age-worthy wines that are also dripping with character already, the 2016 Château L’Eglise-Clinet is cause for celebration.

This is one of the greatest wines ever produced by the château that traces its roots back to the 1800s, when Clos l'Eglise and Château Clinet joined with one another. Yet it wasn’t until the benchmark vintage of 1982, when owner Denis Durantou took over ownership and operations, that L’Eglise-Clinet began to truly hit its stride. Today, with close to 14 acres on the famed Pomerol plateau, Château L’Eglise-Clinet has become one of the most respected producers in the entire region. 

This gravelly land, exquisitely mingled with iron-rich clay and sand, is often mentioned alongside Château Pétrus as the place where Merlot reaches its peak. By contrast, however, Pétrus will set you back more than $4,000 for a single bottle of 2016, over ten times more than the Château L’Eglise-Clinet…and Pétrus didn’t get 100 points!

Like Pétrus, L’Eglise Clinet leans heavily on Merlot, with spicy, herbal seasoning from Cabernet Franc. The château’s vines, however, are unique in that their average age is older than any other estates in Pomerol, contributing to the epic concentration of the 2016. Thanks to Durantou’s non-interventionist winemaking approach, L’Eglise Clinet embodies the classic 2016 vintage in general, and Pomerol in particular.

Today, Château L’Eglise-Clinet brilliantly leverages its incredible location in Pomerol, the ancient vines that grow on its land, and the knowledge and passion of the team that Durantou has assembled. It deserves plenty of room in the cellar.