Chateau L'Eglise-Clinet, Pomerol 2011

With a dense ruby/purple color is followed by a pure nose of mulberries, cherry liqueur and spring flowers, but no hint of oak, this full-bodied, opulent, rich beauty exhibits impressive purity, texture, richness and length. Not as structured or tannic as Trotanoy, it moves more in the direction of the opulence and flashy, showy fruit of Hosanna and Petrus. It should drink well for 15-20 years.

The 2011 l'Eglise-Clinet has a generous and high-toned bouquet with menthol-tinged red berry fruit, a hint of cough candy and black olive. This has good complexity and focus, manifesting more elegant and precision with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, touches of mocha and black pepper infusing the red berry fruit, very cohesive with admirable concentration on the finish. This is drinking superbly now. Gorgeous. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

A balanced wine with lovely floral and berry character and hints of dark chocolate. Full body, with a creamy tannin structure and lovely length. Lively acidity.

Good bright ruby. Knockout nose combines crushed raspberry, stone, iron, mint, violet and coffee. Very pure, precise and bright on the palate, with deep dark berry fruit flavors complicated by minerals, flowers and cocoa. The bright acidity extends the flavors nicely on the long finish. Cool and restrained Pomerol, with mounting tannins that call for patience.

(90% merlot and 10% cabernet franc; 80% new oak): Opaque purple-tinged ruby. Closed nose hints at fresh blueberry, violet, minerals and spicy cocoa. Juicy, bright and pure; less explosively perfumed and creamy than usual for this wine but more delicate and subtle than recent vintages. Finishes long and lively, with chewy yet polished peppery tannins and lingering notes of dark berries, minerals and flowers. A spicy character emerged as the wine opened in the glass. I imagine that this Pomerol will pick up flesh over the next few years, while remaining beautifully pure.