1961 l'Eglise Clinet
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The 1961 L'Eglise-Clinet is a vintage I have encountered twice or three times before. In fact, I bought a few bottles when prices were within my means. This bottle came from Graham Lyon's cellar, which was auctioned through Christie's. It's probably the finest example I've had. Dark berry fruit commingles with damp, loamy earth, and there's even a distant tang of seaweed. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and leans more toward the red side of the fruit spectrum than previous bottles and inches its way toward the 1961 Latour-à-Pomerol stylistically. Beautifully balanced with a fine bead of acidity, it finishes in a gentle, understated fashion that just exudes transparency. Beautiful. Tasted at the Pomerol 1961 dinner in Hong Kong.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1961 l’Eglise-Clinet is a vintage that I have enjoyed several times since I purchased some bottles at the beginning of my career. This might be the best example that I have had, coming directly from Denis Durantou’s family cellar. It has a stunning bouquet with black cherry and mulberry, later marmalade and pronounced brine aromas that you often discern in this vintage. The palate is wonderfully balanced with fine acidity, fresh and rustic but with charm in spades. It has an almost candied, sucrose finish that indicates a wine that must have had immense concentration in its youth. Wonderful. Tasted at the l’Eglise-Clinet vertical at the château in April 2018.
Looks deeper but more mature than the 1955. Amazingly sweet and fruity – cassis flavour actually – and well integrated. Much more robust and youthful-tasting than the 1955. Kerpow! Very slightly rustic tannins starting to insist on the palate. Mrs J Rabier and P Lasserre are cited on the label. Bordeaux bottled, 4 lots of 1 dozen bottles at £3000-3500 per dozen. (JR)
About the producer
Ch. l'Eglise-Clinet is one of the most unassuming wine estates in Bordeaux. You'd probably drive past it if you didn't have prior knowledge of its vinous output. There's no ostentatious gateway nor sweeping gravel drive.