I continue to absolutely love the 2005 Clos L'Eglise and it's in the heart of its prime drinking window today. Still youthfully plum/purple-hued, with a killer bouquet of ripe currants, black cherries, tobacco, and loamy earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a round, lush, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It benefits from air, so give it a short decant if drinking any time soon. It will hold for a decade and have a gradual decline thereafter. This is a stunning Pomerol.

Chocolate covered strawberries, licorice, smoke, spice and espresso are a treat in the nose. The richly-textured palate is even better with its luscious-layers of ripe black cherries, dark chocolate, licorice, and hint of chalk that shows in the finish. A quick splash decant is all that’s needed. Drink from 2024-2036. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2005%20Clos%20l%27Eglise

The talented and charming Sylvie Garcin runs this tiny property of 15 acres, planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% new oak. The 2005 is dense ruby/purple, with notes of smoky barbecue, crushed blackcurrants and jammy cherries, with some licorice and earth in the background (truffle?). This full-bodied, multi-dimensional, full-throttle and concentrated Pomerol is top class. This is a great example of the vintage and of this beautiful terroir not far from Pomerol’s church. Approachable now, it will even improve for another 5-10 years and drink well for at least two more decades.- RP

The 2005 Clos L'Eglise is deep garnet in color with a touch of brick. It needs coaxing to unlock complex notes of preserved plums, blueberry compote, and cigar box with touches of Provence herbs, rosemary-roasted lamb, and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, delivering super firm tannins and a lively line to support the densely packed fruit, finishing long and minerally.

Offers a wonderful nose of crushed berry, blackberry and dark chocolate. Jumps out of the glass. Full-bodied, with seamless, velvety tannins and fabulous flavors of vanilla, berry, chocolate and cappuccino, followed by a long, caressing finish. Hard to say if this will be better than the 2000, but equally outstanding. Best after 2012. 1,000 cases made.

The 2005 Clos l’Eglise has a fresh and vibrant bouquet with quite strong eucalyptus aromas, well defined and maybe a little New World in style. The palate is medium-bodied with thickset tannins, grippy brambly fruit, slightly viscous. Powerful, gutsy and bold, this is a big boned, brassy Pomerol; although, you might argue that it is missing a little finesse on the finish. Hedonists will get a kick out of this. Tasted at the Clos l’Eglise vertical. -By Neal Martin on June 2021