2018 La Petite Eglise, Pomerol

Produced by Denis Durantou of Château L’Eglise Clinet, the 2018 La Petite Eglise is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with 35% new oak and 14.5% alcohol. This is the first time Cabernet Franc was used in the blend and the first time younger vines from L'Eglise Clinet were used. Deep purple-black in color, the nose is boldly scented of baked plums, Black Forest cake and kirsch with suggestions of forest floor, cinnamon stick, fertile loam and sautéed herbs with a waft of roses. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with fragrant black fruit preserves, textured by ripe, rounded tannins and finishes long and perfumed.

This is powerful and tingly with great minerality on show, but a large-framed Petite Eglise - a pretty hedonistic take on 2018, and certainly more than Durantou usually gives in to. There’s more Cabernet Franc in Petite Eglise than usual because new plantings up by the church have come on line, plus most of the usual vines for this wine are currently pulled up ready for replanting meaning it’s pretty much entirely young vines which took, and show, the heat of the summer. 35% new oak was used.

This is very tight and long for Petite Église with a very compact and focused palate. Medium-to full-bodied, compressed palate with ripe tannins that are firm and fresh.

The 2018 La Petite Eglise is a gorgeous second wine from Denis Durantou's L'Eglise-Clinet. Creamy and plush, the 2018 wraps around the palate with fabulous density. The natural richness of grapes with thick skins and little juice comes through in intense dark cherry, mocha, spice and new leather flavors. Soft contours and plush, silky tannins give the Petite Eglise tons of immediacy. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. Sadly, yields are down 60%. The blend is is 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.