While the 2007 vintage can be spotty, there are some real gems out there, and most are drinking spectacularly well today. Case in point, the 2007 Clos L'Eglise, which offers a soaring bouquet of cedar pencil, black cherries, blackberries, chocolate, graphite, and tobacco that develops beautifully with time in the glass. A medium to full-bodied, forward, sexy Pomerol with still present tannins yet a mature, ready to go style, it's ideal for drinking any time over the coming decade or more.

The bouquet on the Clos l’Eglise 2007 leans towards the small percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend: lean and taut, more masculine and tertiary than the previous two vintages, but well defined with a tang of bacon fat. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins. It feels a little angular compared to the 2006 Clos l’Eglise with an attenuated, slightly dry finish.

Tasted at the château, the 2007 Clos l'Eglise was a pleasant surprise with quite vigorous black cherry and bergamot scents, just a hint of black tea, certainly showing good intensity after ten years. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, fine backbone, a pinch of cracked black pepper on the entry with a solid, slightly austere but focused finish that is resolutely classic in style. I appreciate the "Pomerol-ness" of this Clos l'Eglise. Drink now and over the next 6-8 years. Tasted March 2017. - Neal Martin

The 2007 Clos l’Eglise has a well defined bouquet, though it misses the intensity of the 2005 or 2006, the fruit here is slightly darker with hints of liquorice, musk and incense. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip and good density for a 2007. Smooth and harmonious, maybe it misses a bit of complexity on the finish, but it is certainly one of the better Pomerols of the vintage. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical. -- Neal Martin