Château L'Eglise-Clinet

History of Château L'Église-Clinet

The history of Château L'Église-Clinet dates back to the late 19th century. In 1882, Monsieur Mauléon-Rouchut, an ancestor of Denis Durantou, brought together plots belonging to the Mauléon family and those of the Constant family to create the estate. Initially named Clos L'Église-Clinet, this vineyard, located in the heart of Pomerol, was at first a small wine-growing operation. The estate, covering approximately 5 hectares, was part of a landscape where agriculture dominated activities, with wine not yet being the primary source of income.

In the 1950s, under the impetus of Pierre Lasserre, who managed the estate in collaboration with the Durantou family, the name "Château L'Église-Clinet" was adopted, with the 1955 vintage as the first cuvée under this label. At that time, the estate remained modest, but it was already distinguished by the quality of its wines, produced on an exceptional terroir. 

It was not until 1983, when Denis Durantou took over the estate, that Château L'Église-Clinet entered the modern era. Denis modernised the facilities, restructured the vineyard, and applied rigorous winemaking methods. His tireless work allowed the estate to gain renown and to rival the greatest names in Pomerol, such as Petrus and Château Lafleur.

The 1947, 2012, 2010 and 1921 vintages of Château L'Église-Clinet achieve the perfect score of 100/100 from Robert Parker. The 2009, 2005 and 1949 vintages are rated 99/100, while 2019, 2015, 2016, 2018, 1945 and 2017 receive 98/100, confirming the excellence of this estate.

Terroirs and Vines of Château L'Église-Clinet

The terroir of Château L'Église-Clinet is a key factor in the exceptional quality of its wines. The estate extends over approximately 4.5 hectares, with predominantly clay and gravelly soils situated on a naturally well-drained slope, making it an ideal environment for the cultivation of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The vineyard is composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, with vines whose average age exceeds 40 years. Some Cabernet Franc plots even date back to 1935, offering a rare and precious raw material. It is these old vines, cultivated using sustainable methods, that give the wine of Château L'Église-Clinet its aromatic complexity and exceptional structure. 

The estate is carefully divided into several distinct plots, among which one finds "Clinet Haut", "Clinet Bas" and "Chêne", where the grape varieties express the full richness of the terroir. Each plot is vinified separately to ensure maximum precision in the crafting of the wine.

Winemaking at Château L'Église-Clinet

Château L'Église-Clinet is distinguished by a meticulous approach to winemaking, respecting traditional methods while integrating modern technologies. The harvest is carried out by hand, with rigorous sorting of the grapes to retain only the healthiest and ripest bunches. 

The grapes are then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, allowing precise control of temperatures. This step is essential to preserve the freshness and purity of the aromas. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in these vats, ensuring optimal control of the biochemical processes.

The wines are aged in French oak barrels, of which 50 to 80% are new depending on the vintage. The wine rests there for between 15 and 18 months, with regular racking to avoid excess lees and ensure controlled oxygenation. This careful ageing process structures the wine while imparting fine tannins and subtle notes of toasted wood, without masking the natural richness of the fruit.

The cuvées of Château L'Église-Clinet

Château L'Église-Clinet

The estate's fine wine is an exceptional Pomerol, recognised for its concentration, elegance and complexity. It reveals intense aromas of dark fruits and exotic spices, with subtle notes of cocoa and liquorice. The palate is full and velvety, with a tight yet refined tannic structure and a remarkable length. It is a wine of great ageing potential, which begins to reveal its full potential after around ten years in the cellar and can be kept for several decades.

La Petite Église

Contrary to what one might think, La Petite Église is not a second wine, but a cuvée in its own right, sourced from a specific plot selection. Predominantly composed of Merlot, it comes from vines planted on sandier soils, offering a more accessible and immediately charming style than the fine wine. 

Certain vintages of Château L'Église-Clinet stand out particularly and have contributed to forging the estate's reputation for excellence. The 1985 vintage marks the beginning of the château's meteoric rise, while 1998, 2000, 2005 and 2010 are recognised as exceptional years. These wines offer a depth and complexity rarely matched, and are today highly sought after by collectors around the world.

Pomerol, one of the most prestigious appellations of Bordeaux, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most remarkable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, recognised for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to enchant lovers of great wines. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to produce wines of exceptional quality, further consolidating the renown of this appellation among the greatest of Bordeaux.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate vies for excellence. Beyond the mythical Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, and Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the grands crus classés of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, that will delight lovers of great wines. 

Château L'Église-Clinet is today one of the jewels of the Pomerol appellation, producing wines of rare elegance that combine aromatic richness and purity of fruit with remarkable precision. Thanks to the passion and expertise of Denis Durantou, brilliantly continued by his daughter Noémie, this estate continues to shine among the greatest crus of Bordeaux. Whether you are a discerning enthusiast or a passionate collector, the wines of Château L'Église-Clinet are essential for any cellar worthy of the name.