Clos l’Eglise is a small, historic Pomerol estate on the clay-and-gravel plateau, farmed organically, with a vineyard of about 5.9 hectares. The 2018 is an 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc blend (as reported by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Decanter) and it has drawn notably strong reviews across publications, with several excellent scores at 95–96 points.
In aroma and flavor, the wine is consistently described as dark-fruited and highly perfumed. Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 95) notes it “comes bounding out of the glass with energetic scents of Morello cherries, fresh black plums, boysenberries and lavender,” with added complexity from “crushed rocks, woodsmoke and black truffles.” James Suckling (96) emphasizes its “berry, plum, chocolate and hazelnut aromas and flavors,” while The Wine Independent (96) highlights “plum preserves, wild blueberries, and boysenberries,” plus “sandalwood, licorice, and potpourri.”
On the palate, the common thread is richness matched by freshness and structure. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate describes a “full-bodied palate… supported by ripe, velvety tannins and tons of freshness.” Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider, 96) calls it “rich, seductive, sensuous and silky… in perfect proportion,” projecting it to “age effortlessly for 3 decades”—one of the most emphatic endorsements for the vintage. Jeb Dunnuck (94) strikes a slightly more restrained tone, calling it “a pretty, elegant wine” with “ripe tannins” and a “ripe yet elegant, fleshy profile,” recommending 4–5 years of bottle age.
Decanter (92) points to its early appeal—“sensuous, easy generosity and exuberance”—but also notes tannins that start soft “but with grip as they close in through the palate,” finishing with “chocolate notes with liquorice.” Wine Spectator (92) underscores a savory edge alongside the fruit: “macerated fig and plum… while dark tea and savory notes course underneath.” Overall, 2018 Clos l’Eglise looks like a concentrated, long-lived Pomerol that should reward both patience and careful cellaring.
