(NM92-94 points) The Grand Vin was picked from 26th until 28th September, including 15% Cabernet Franc. It has a tightly wound bouquet that requires patience, opening with aeration to reveal marine-tinged red and black fruit, with subtle floral notes. The oak is very well integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent entry, plenty of sweet red fleshy fruit laced with white pepper and a touch of spice on the finish. There is good substance here with fine grip on the finish. This will have long-term potential.

The 2012 Clos L'Eglise is medium to deep garnet colored. It bounds out with exuberant notes of dried black and red cherries, raisin cake, and Indian spices, plus hints of iron ore, chocolate mint, and dusty earth. The full-bodied palate bursts with impactful black fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.

I also loved the 2012 Clos L'Eglise. This more medium-bodied, elegant Pomerol boasts a healthy purple color to go with ample chocolate-laced black cherry and currant fruits, medium-bodied richness and depth, plenty of tobacco and floral nuances, and a great finish. It doesn't have the concentration of the top vintages here yet is beautifully balanced, elegant, and will continue drinking nicely for another 10-12 years.

The 2012 Clos l'Eglise possesses quite expressive Cabernet Franc on the nose, cedar and tobacco scents filtering through the black fruit, cohering nicely in the glass. The oak is better assimilated than some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, fine tannins and lightly spiced with good weight. Fresh on the finish, this Pomerol has a skip in its step. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting. -- Neal Martin

On the chunkier side for now, with ganache and espresso notes lending a lightly firm frame to the crushed plum and blackberry fruit. There's plenty of flesh here as well, and a roasted earth accent on the finish. Should knit together with cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2025. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.