Deep garnet colored, the 2010 L'Eglise Clinet begins unassumingly with gentle notions of fragrant dried flowers and wild sage leading to savory nut and meat characters over an expanding core of preserved plums, blueberry compote and black cherry coulis plus a waft of menthol. Full-bodied, concentrated and wonderfully decadent, the palate is absolutely packed with rich, ripe black fruit preserves and loads of spicy sparks, framed by super ripe, super plush tannins, finishing very long and decadent. I love the interplay of subtly and power here - this is truly a WOW wine!- LPB

Deep in color, almost opaque, without decanting the wine explodes with smoke, truffle, coffee bean, wet earth, licorice, floral and plum liqueur. This is dense, incredibly rich, layered and concentrated. Structured to age, tannic, powerful and long, this sensuous wine deserves to be laid down for 10, 15 or even 20 years before its decadent nature awakens.

Sweet berries with hints of incense and spices on the nose with black truffles. Very ripe but not over-the-top. This is full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a smoky wood and mushroom undertone. It's dense and impressive yet very balanced. I like it, slightly better quality than the 2009. Give the wine five or six years of bottle age to soften before opening.

90% merlot 10% cabernet Franc. The bouquet of the grand vin is currently showing a more reserved state offering purity in its aroma as complexity slowly appears in the shape of black cherry underneath scents of soy spices and dark oak. This classic example of 2010 Pomerol offers a compact fruit profile with flavors of black cherry and cocoa powder. Tightly wound with just the right amount of acidity and fine tannins to keep the midpalate from getting too fat the finish has great length and echoes the elegance of the midpalate. This wine will definitely require time to unfurl with 2-4 needed for short term drinking. Great potential here for the next 25 years.

The Chateau L'Eglise-Clinet 2010 has a broody, marine-influenced bouquet that is sulky at first, but opens nicely with seaweed and iodine-tinged black fruit unfolding with every swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent entry. Rounded and velvety smooth, gentle grip but very powerful towards the showy and generous Merlot-driven finish. I guessed it to be Clinet before its identity was revealed!

Rich but delightfully pure, with a stunningly gorgeous, pure beam of unadulterated raspberry preserves driving through the middle, showing hints of plum, anise and blueberry hanging in the background. The long finish drips with fruit, but maintains the racy acidity needed for balance and elegance, while a fine minerality slides in underneath. Drink now through 2030. 1,333 cases made.–JM