1998 L'Eglise Clinet
By Chateau L'Eglise Clinet
1998 L'Eglise Clinet from Chateau L'Eglise Clinet, Pomerol, Bordeaux
Exploring the rich tapestry of Bordeaux's finest yields, the 1998 L'Eglise Clinet from Chateau L'Eglise Clinet emerges as a wine of distinguished pedigree and profound complexity. As a seasoned observer of Pomerol's evolving canvass, this particular vintage stands as a testament to the region's ability to produce wines of both power and finesse amidst climatic caprice.
A Vintage Defined by Precision and Poise
The 1998 vintage in Pomerol was marked by a growing season that was as challenging as it was rewarding, with a hot and dry August followed by a more temperate September allowing for a paced maturation. The harvest period for Chateau L'Eglise Clinet saw impeccable timing to capture the quintessential expression of their terroir. This revered plot, laced with iron-rich clay and gravel, accordingly etched its signature into the resulting wine.
Pomerol Perfection: The Hallmarks of 1998
A tasting reveals that the 1998 L'Eglise Clinet has reached a splendid plateau in its evolution. At first, it greets with an opulent bouquet redolent of truffles, ripe plums, and a hint of tobacco – an aromatic kaleidoscope that evolves seductively in the glass. On the palate, the wine exhibits an admirable breadth, a tapestry of blackberry and cherries framed by sculpted tannins that speak to its longevity and structure. A striking minerality provides the backbone, while the merlot-driven plushness affords an elegant mouthfeel that lingers seamlessly into an exquisite finish.
Without question, this vintage harmoniously encapsulates the essence of both its provenance and the weather conditions bestowed upon it in 1998. For collectors and investors alike, it offers an entrancing blend of immediate drinking pleasure and potential for further cellar aging.
Aligned with significant wine investment potential, the 1998 L'Eglise Clinet from Chateau L'Eglise Clinet is more than simply a vinous treasure; it is an emblem of Pomerol’s enduring splendor – a beacon for connoisseurs who appreciate the interaction between time, terroir, and talent. It does not rest on the laurels of Chateau L'Eglise Clinet's storied past but accentuates them with grace and aplomb specific to this memorable vintage.
Market price (USD)
$5,380.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
259.41
Scores and tasting notes
Soft and silky yet firm and gorgeous. Full-bodied with a gorgeous core of raspberry and spices on the palate, with chocolate and mahogany notes. Still very young and in reserve. I decanted before drinking, but it's still a little tight. Needs more bottle time.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, August 9th 2013
Tasted single blind at FINE magazine's vertical in Dusseldorf. This has a very ripe, Merlot-dominated bouquet, opulent compared to other vintages with touches of dried honey intermingling with precocious dark berry fruits and hints of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with a tannic entry, grainy in texture with a savoury, smoke-tinged finish. Moderate length. Although it is now 12-years old, its remains very compact and endowed with a long-term future. Tasted February 2011.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2011
The Château l'Eglise-Clinet 1998 has developed an absolutely stunning bouquet: precocious, glycerin-rich red cherries, cassis, violets and minerals all beautifully defined and so intense. The palate is full-bodied with ripe tannin, layers of sweet blackberry and wild strawberry fruit intermingling with white pepper, cumin, black truffle and tar. There is a crescendo towards the finish that just fans out across the mouth. After 17 years (which makes me feel old, as I remember tasting it from barrel), it is a Pomerol that will take on all comers in the appellation with the exception of the 1998 Petrus. It will give 40-50 years worth of drinking pleasure. Tasted March 2015.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 July 2016
This wine has been so impressive over the last decade that it can now be said to rival Petrus. This effort should turn out to be one of the longest-lived Pomerols of the vintage. It is backward, and has closed down since bottling, but make no mistake about it ... this is a dazzling, serious vin de garde. An opaque purple color is followed by a restrained but promising bouquet of sweet black raspberries intermixed with vanillin, caramel, and minerals. The wine is full-bodied, powerfully tannic, beautifully textured, and crammed with extract (an assortment of black fruits). While it is bursting at the seams, purchasers will need to wait a minimum of 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2035.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #134 Apr 2001