Wine Advocate Robert Parker 2014 (92-94 Punkte)
A 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc blend from the Plateau of Pomerol near the church, the wine has an inky/purple color, a sweet kiss of mulberry and black cherry liqueurs, interwoven with licorice, truffle, a hint of melted road tar and background spice and oak. The wine is opulent, medium to full-bodied and unquestionably a tour de force for this vintage. Kudos to Durantou. If you can find it, this is clearly one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage and a real star. Drink from 2018-2027.
It-s no surprise that perfectionist/meticulous proprietor Denis Durantou has turned out one of the best wines of the vintage. Harvested September 27-October 6, only 10,000 bottles were produced in this tiny yielding vintage that also required a draconian-like selection process to keep the best fruit under the top label.
Wine Spectator 2014 (89-92 Punkte) Fassprobe
Well-rendered, with sleek raspberry and blackberry coulis notes, presenting a backdrop of anise and warm fruitcake flavors and a fleshy, polished finish. Pure and lengthy. Score range: 89-92 –JM
René Gabriel (19 Punkte)
85 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc. Produktion etwa 10'000 Flaschen. Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Ein wunderbares Bouquet. Waldhimbeeren, reife Pflaumen, Cassis, dunkle Edelhölzer und nobler Schwarztee, Bergamotte und Zitronenthymian feine dunkle Caramelnoten im zweiten Ansatz. Aromatischer Gaumenbeginn, die Adstringenz versteckt sich etwas mehr im fordernden Extrakt als an der Gaumenseite, zeigt eine gebundene Süsse an im langen, aromatischen, nach Brombeeren schmeckenden Finale. Für mich ist dies ein Eglise-Clinet, welcher fest an den 1997er erinnert. Und das ist in diesem Falle ein Kompliment, denn damals war dies beste Pomerol und dies ist auch beim Jahrgang 2013 der Fall. Für Denis Durantou ist er mindestens so gut wie der 2001er, wenn nicht besser.
James Suckling (93-94 Punkte)
„..One of the most naturally structured wines from the vintage. Full body with mineral character and intensity. The old-vine cabernet franc gives it the backbone. This will need aging“
Neil Martin (94-96 Punkte)
„…The Grand Vin is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 27 September and 2 October. It delivers 13.5% alcohol, a degree less than last year. The Merlot comes through very strongly on the nose with pure scents of cranberry and wild strawberry, dried violet petals and a touch of sous-bois It is very well defined although not as complex as a top-flight l'Eglise-Clinet. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky entry that does not hesitate in caressing the palate, the oak succinct and deftly interwoven. There is not a huge depth here, but rather great tension and precision, a hint of citrus peel. This is already utterly seductive. One day, Denis might make a L'Eglise-Clinet that does not incite superlatives. I might be waiting a long time. If you do insist on buying one 2013 en primeur, then make it this one.“
