One of the greatest wines of the vintage is, not surprisingly, from proprietor Denis Durantou. A remarkable effort in every sense, the 2006 l'Eglise Clinet is not far off the quality of the prodigious 2005. Its inky/ruby/purple color is accompanied by a powerful nose of mocha, caramelized red and black fruits, smoke, graphite, and truffle. Massive and rich with full-bodied power, excellent focus and definition, and moderately high tannin, this is an "outlier" for the vintage (as Malcolm Gladwell would say) with unbelievable length and richness. Unfortunately, patience will be essential as it needs a minimum of 5-6 years of cellaring. It will age effortlessly for three decades. - WA, RP (2/2009)
Bright ruby-red. Knockout nose combines dark berries and black cherry, licorice pastille, truffle, tobacco and sexy oak spices. Lush and sweet but with superb freshness and underlying structure. The wine's combination of suavity, backbone and compelling mineral-driven perfume is why I often find it hard to take merlot seriously when it's not grown on the Pomerol plateau. Finishes silky and very long. This has turned out splendidly.- Stephen Tanzer (5/29)
Violet, black licorice and berry aromas follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a powerful finish. Layered and rich or the vintage. Needs time to develop. Best after 2014. 1,350 cases made.?-- JS (03/2009)