2003 L'Eglise Clinet
By Chateau L'Eglise Clinet
2003 L'Eglise Clinet from Chateau L'Eglise Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux
The year 2003 will long be remembered for its sweltering European summer, and yet amidst this climatic extremity, the Merlot-rich terroirs of Pomerol gave rise to some remarkable successes. Standing proudly among them is the truly sublime 2003 L'Eglise Clinet from Chateau L'Eglise Clinet. This vintage carries with it the weight and wonder of a season that tested the resilience of vineyard and vintner alike.
An Epoch-Defining Effort
When considering investment-worthy Bordeaux, the prowess of Chateau L'Eglise Clinet often reigns supreme in the minds of collectors, offering both scarcity and prestige. The 2003 vintage proves no exception; a wine that encapsulates the intensity of the vintage while maintaining the poised equilibrium for which Pomerol is revered.
The Quintessence of 2003 in a Glass
The flavors within the bottle speak of a year dominated by sun yet saved by soil. Upon tasting, one imbibes a luxuriant tapestry woven with ripe dark berries, hints of truffle and an alluring undercurrent of minerality. The tannins have evolved gracefully, bestowing upon the wine a texture as supple as velvet. The contrast between power and finesse in this 2003 vintage is indeed what sets it apart from more moderate years; a reflection of struggle-turned-triumph, encapsulated in each sip.
The profound depth couples effortlessly with an enduring finish that promises longevity – a key consideration for those seeking wines with investment potential. And yet, beyond its financial allure lies a sensory masterpiece ready to be rediscovered by those discerning palates fortunate enough to uncork this liquid history.
In summary, the 2003 L'Eglise Clinet from Chateau L'Eglise Clinet represents an extraordinary investment opportunity for connoisseurs and investors alike: an exquisite marriage of year-specific opulence coupled with time-honed elegance – a testament to the triumph over adversity that was 2003 in Pomerol.
Market price (CAD)
$2,160.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
86.67
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted single blind at FINE magazine's vertical in Dusseldorf. This has a precocious bouquet with blackberry, cassis, and blueberry, very opulent but still very well defined. There is a confidence, a sense of brio on this nose. The palate is very well defined on the entry with a touch of mint and vanilla pod interlacing the very pure dark berry fruits. There is still a touch of new oak to be subsumed, but this has succinct balance and purity. Top drawer: this is just superb for the vintage. Tasted February 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2011
What a wine this is. This combines density and power with fruit and richness. Lovely notes of dried flowers and minerals in the nose and palate. Full and tannic, but incredibly fresh. This is a serious 2003, but still needs five years. Pull the cork in 2015. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, May 29th 2012
The Château l'Eglise-Clinet 2003 was served ex-château from bottle and magnum. Alongside the 2003 Château Lafleur, it represents one of the best Pomerol wines of the vintage. Why? Because as Denis himself explained, the vineyard naturally produced low pH that counterbalanced the summer heat. It was actually the bottle that has the best bouquet, lively and vibrant for the vintage, extremely well defined and youthful after 12 years. Macerated dark cherries, red plum and incense all soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, slightly savory red berry fruit that is very spicy, white pepper and cumin. There is fine delineation on the finish and great length. It does not quite deliver the brilliant showing of previous bottles, but it deserves a round of applause. This is one of the few recent wines from the estate that I would prefer to drink in its youth. Tasted March 2015.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 July 2016
One of Pomerol's topnotch estates, l'Eglise Clinet is run with impeccable attention to detail, both in the vineyard and cellar, by proprietor Denis Durantou. It is typically a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc from a 40-year-old vineyard on the Pomerol plateau. During the torrid heat and drought of 2003, much of Pomerol was scorched, and producers whose vineyards were planted in gravel/sandy soils were forced to harvest prematurely. L'Eglise-Clinet, which had the earliest harvest in its history, has produced a light, but elegant, charming 2003 displaying plenty of sweet cherry fruit, and hints of raspberries, licorice, and new oak. While it possesses little depth, it is a medium-bodied, charmingly superficial effort to drink over the next 7-10 years.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #164 April 2006