Ch.Clos L'Eglise 1998 1500ml

Wine Advocate #134, Apr 23, 2001
A classic Pomerol, the 1998 boasts a superb, complex bouquet of mocha fudge, vanilla, black cherries, roasted coffee, smoke, and berries. The dazzlingly explosive aromatic display is followed by a creamy-textured, medium to full-bodied, beautifully-layered wine with no hard edges. A supple texture leads to a finish with notes of caramel and spice that lingers for over 40 seconds. This is a gorgeous, complex Pomerol.

The estate of Clos L’Eglise is one of the older chateaux in Pomerol dating all the way back to the 18th century. That is also when the farmhouse that is in use today was constructed. At the time, Chateau Clos L’Eglise was a larger estate. In fact, the property was at one time part of the Gombaude Guillot estate. Eventually the vast estate was split in half. On one side of the street, you had Chateau Clos l’Eglise, which was owned by the Rouchut family. Across the street sat Chateau Clos l’Eglise-Clinet, which was owned by the Mauleon family. In time, Chateau Clos l’Eglise Clinet eventually changed its name to Chateau l’Eglise Clinet.
The property shares a similar climate to that enjoyed by both St.Emilion & Pomerol: more continental than the maritime Médoc with generally more spring rainfall, though less in summer & winter. Its vineyards (Merlot 57%; Cabernet Franc 36%; Cabernet Sauvignon 7%) lie on sandy-gravel topsoils, underpinned by a hard-pan clay subsoil. Fermentation in wooden vats before 24 months of maturation in new oak barrels.

Meats, Beef and Venison