The 2023 Clos l'Église Bordeaux Blend from Pomerol, France, presents a compelling profile that has garnered notable acclaim from several professional reviewers. This red wine, composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, offers a rich and complex tasting experience characterized by a deep garnet-purple hue and a variety of intense flavors.
James Suckling rated this wine at 95-96 points, describing it as "a very tight and focused red with racy tannins and a linear, racy texture." He highlights its medium body and the "excellent energy" driven by flavors of blackberry and olive, complemented by a very long finish. Suckling also notes the wine's 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.7.
Vinous' Antonio Galloni also awarded the wine 93-95 points, emphasizing its "gorgeous contrast of intense dark fruit against a mineral backbone." He praises the wine's nuanced profile with notes of "graphite, crushed rocks, plum, mocha, spice, leather, and dried herbs." Galloni points out the higher percentage of Cabernet Franc in this vintage due to replanting of Merlot parcels, resulting in an especially nuanced wine.
Jeff Leve's review on TheWineCellarInsider.com stands out with a 94-96 point score, describing the aromatic profile with "chocolate mint, flowers, plums, truffle, black cherries, licorice, and herbs." Leve commends the palate for its "silky, sensuous, velvety fruits" and an impressive finish featuring "sexy, chocolate-drenched, sweet, elegant plums." He notes the wine's deep concentration and opulence, suggesting a drinking window from 2028 to 2050.
Jeb Dunnuck, giving the wine 92-94 points, notes flavors of "red, blue, and black fruits, chocolate, roasted herbs, and violet." He describes the wine as "broad, medium to full-bodied, supple, seamless," and praises its balanced nature with soft tannins and outstanding length.
Jane Anson, scoring 93 points, highlights "smoky oak, rosemary, black chocolate, cocoa bean, and espresso" with floral aromatics and fresh acidity. She appreciates the wine's "silky texture" and grip, noting the 80-year-old vines and the lack of an outside winemaking consultant.
The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown rated it 94-96+ points, noting bold "blackberry pie and plum preserves" with a perfumed undercurrent of "iris, licorice, dark chocolate, and tar." She describes the full-bodied palate as intense and expansive with firm rounded tannins and a lingering anise note.
Lastly, Decanter gave it a 93-point score, describing the wine as "strong aromatics, deep, opulent and rich" with a tart and sour profile that transitions to creamy with spiced and ferrous notes. They find it a bit tight and coiled but recognize its slow expansion and finesse.
Overall, the 2023 Clos l'Église Bordeaux Blend is a highly regarded wine with consistent high ratings and praise for its complex flavors, nuanced profile, and excellent aging potential.