Although it could be said that Château L’Eglise Clinet had something of a rocky start, the small estate grew to become one of Pomerol’s most cherished. Dating back to 1803, the property grew when the owners, the Rouchet family, purchased land from the adjacent estate, Domaine de Clinet, then owned by the Constant family. The purchase ushered in the creation of Clos L’Eglise-Clinet, as the families agreed to join forces in Bordeaux production. In 1955, the château’s name as we now know it was used on the label, and Château L’Eglise Clinet was born. Current manager Denis Durantou, famous for an incomparable hands-on approach, took over the estate in 1983. The facilities were in grave need of improvements, and Durantou met the challenge by initiating a major renovation. After this total refurbishment, it took only two years for him to deliver the château’s first new success. Durantou and his team have never looked back. L’Eglise Clinet’s terroir is deep clay and gravel, lending the wine its unique character amidst other wines of Pomerol. 85% of the land is dedicated to Merlot, with Cabernet Franc taking 14%, and Malbec a small 1%. Known for being full-bodied, luxurious and rich, the château’s wine is nonetheless balanced, fresh, exotic and textured. Much of its profile is attributable to the Cabernet Franc presence, as portions of those vines are over 80 years old or more. L’Eglise Clinet may be slightly lacking in name recognition when compared to its counterparts, but that certainly is changing, and fast. If you are seeking an aggressively rich wine experience, look no further than L’Eglise Clinet.