98

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2022 L'Eglise-Clinet is every bit as magnificent as it was en primeur. Deep, intensely aromatic and soaring in its intensity, the 2022 has it all. Inky red-toned fruit, cedar, tobacco, dried flowers, new leather and a kiss of French oak infuse the 2022 with tremendous depth and complexity. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This is pure and total sensuality. What a wine! 01/2025

99

Neal Martin

Vinous

Nöemie Durantou remarked that this vintage is the best she had ever known with respect to the Merlot, and given that the 2022 L'Eglise-Clinet contains 90% Merlot, that pre-empted a fabulous Pomerol. Durantou also mentioned that her wines were a little more "shy" compared to the previous day, though the bouquet only needed four or five minutes' coaxing before it unfolded with wonderfully delineated, focused scents of black cherries, peony, blood orange and crushed stone. Exquisitely balanced, the palate has a cashmere texture thanks to the pliant tannins, gaining density all the time. The finish is powerful and very sustained, disguising the 14.6% alcohol extremely well thanks to its countervailing acidic spine, though you feel a dab on the aftertaste. The 2022 is a L'Eglise-Clinet built for the long-term and continues the estate's stunning run of form. 01/2025

98+

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

Lastly, the 2022 Château L'Eglise Clinet is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that was harvested from the 3rd to the 9th of September, with its élevage spanning just 12 months in 85% new French oak followed by roughly four months in tank before bottling. It's another riveting 2022 in the vintage that brings remarkable depth and intensity while at the same time staying light on its feet, graceful, and balanced. Ripe black cherries, cassis, graphite, leafy tobacco, and damp earth and floral notes all shine here, and it's full-bodied, has a concentrated, powerful mouthfeel, ripe and perfectly polished tannins, and a great finish. It deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will have 30-40 years of prime drinking. It will probably merit a perfect rating at maturity, and if this doesn’t put a smile on your face, nothing will. 02/2025

99

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre et profonde. Nez intense, fruité, sentant bon la framboise, une nuance de truffe. Complexe. Superbe entrée en bouche aérienne. Puis le vin se met à fondre, gras, sur une saveur de fruits noirs. Remarquablement équilibré, il évolue lentement, minutieux et profond vers une grande finale complexe et séveuse où reviennent des nuances de fruits noirs et d'épices. Le tout dans une grande délicatesse. C'est superbe et difficile à cracher. 02/2025

100

James Suckling

James Suckling

Wonderful aromas of crushed violets and wisteria as well as black-truffle undertones and blueberries. Medium- to full-bodied, this has a beautiful center palate and an endless finish. It’s so polished and refined with breathtaking length that caresses every inch of the finish. A masterpiece for the vintage. 90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc. Try after 2030 and beyond. 02/2025