"Dark chocolaty, lovely balance. Very good, showing beautifully-textured, wraparound tannins. (AB/SM Apr 2010)
Neal Martin 92/100
Tasted at the Syndicat de Pomerol. The Domaine de l’Eglise 2009 has a sweet, mocha and undergrowth tinged nose with ample red-berried fruit. Good definition. The palate is oaky on the entry, but well balanced on the mid-palate with a composed, refined finish. Good potential. Tasted November 2011. RobertParker.com
Neal Martin 92-94/100
Tasted at Chateau Trottevieille and on two separate occasion at the Syndicate. The Merlots were cropped between the 17th and 28th September, the Cabernet Franc on 5th October at 37hl/ha, a blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this has a lifted nose that shows much great precision than recent vintages of this ancient Pomerol vineyard. Blackberry, wild hedgerow, a touch of espresso, smoke and with continued aeration more and more minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins, much greater precision and focus then any vintage that I have tried in recent years (which was most of them in December!) Fresh black, slightly earthy fruit, very fine persistency, this is unequivocally the first Domaine de L’Eglise that is realized the propicity of its enviable terroir on the Pomerol plateau. Tasted April 2010. RobertParker.com"
It is thought that Domaine de l’Eglise was founded in the 16th century, and from 1793 to 1972 was owned by the Landard family, who, following the devasting Bordeaux frosts of 1956 made an arrangement with the Casteja family to help produce and distribute the wine. In 1972 they sold the property outright to the Casteja’s and the Chateau has since been part of the Borie-Manoux portfolio.
The 7-hectare vineyard is planted to 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc and is spread across several plots with the best located next to iconic neighbours Chateau LEvangile, Chateau Clinet, and Chateau LEglise Client, with most vineyards composed of gravel and sand over clay. Vinification is undertaken in stainless steel temperature controlled vats and is followed by elevage in up to 40% new French oak barrels.
