Clos du Clocher 2017

Granted, this Clos doesn’t have the outstanding density of other vintages, but it already shows particular elegance and finesse in its youth. Subtle aromas of flowers and fresh herbs.

Touches of bitter dark chocolate here; this is structured and softly tannic, with walls and a sense of concentration and restraint. Great quality and impressive work by Clos de Clocher, and it has clearly come into its own with a few years in bottle. One of the few 2017s that, for me, has improved since En Primeur, even if it’s still a wine that will be best enjoyed young. A yield of 45hl/ha, 65% new oak.

Plenty of tar and berry character with hints of stones and fresh herbs. Medium body, bright acidity and medium-fine tannins at the end. Lovely now. Balanced red. Drink or hold.

The 2017 Clos du Clocher has a very attractive bouquet with truffle-infused black fruit, hints of pressed iris flower emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine depth. A linear, almost gravelly finish with tobacco on the aftertaste. I admire the cohesion and persistence of this Clos du Clocher that should age with style.

Quite floral with black raspberry, cherry and plum notes, the wine is medium bodied, silky and soft with a good-sized jolt of verve in the finish.

Deep dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening, fine nougat, black cherries, a hint of sour cherries, background with delicate herbal savouriness. Firm, ripe blackberry fruit, fresh cherries, vivid tannins, mineral, subtle extracted sweetness on the finish.

A serious effort in the vintage, the 2017 Clos Du Clocher delivers pure, darker chocolate aromas along with an almost inky quality and noticeable charred oak. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated on the palate, it has polished tannins, excellent depth, and a powerful yet balanced profile. This impressive Pomerol is structured yet accessible and should evolve beautifully over the coming 15-20 years. Drink 2023-2038.

Opaque purple. Opulent bouquet of blackberry jam, followed by elderberry jelly, coconut and violet, then dark noble woods, chocolate pastilles and tobacco. Silky texture with impeccably polished tannins and perfectly supportive freshness. A focused finish with dense, dark-berry fruit and licorice. This year, counts among the fruitiest Pomerols alongside Rouget. 17.5/20

Kunz barrel sample 18: finely opulent, powerful bouquet, black cherries, blackberry jelly, vanilla, licorice. Dense, velvety palate with powerful, concentrated fruit, plenty of fine, slightly powdery quality tannins, pronounced aromatics, opulent structure, long, lavish finish. Can improve further.

Fine, opulent, powerful bouquet: black cherries, blackberry jelly, vanilla, licorice. Dense, velvety palate with powerful, concentrated fruit, plenty of good, finely powdery tannins, pronounced aromatics, opulent structure, long, lavish finish. Still has room to improve. 17/20 2024 - 2040

There was no frost in the vineyard of Clos du Clocher in 2017. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc gives a deep garnet color. It skips out with vibrant notions of black raspberries, kirsch and rose oil, plus suggestions of garrigue, forest floor, and cardamom. Medium-bodied, the palate has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and lovely tension supporting the tightly knit fruit, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.

Taut, massive, deep wine, lots of chew, crunchy tannins, graphite finish.

Garnet red with purple highlights. The bouquet of Clos du Clocher is complex and subtle. It reveals pleasant fruity notes of cherries and blueberries. On the palate, the wine is charming and slightly creamy. It has compact, precise tannins and a structure that supports the aromatic character. It has gained in dimension and freshness during its ageing.

The nose is juicy, with fine concentration and a very subtle freshness. It reveals notes of blackcurrant and black cherry, then lighter hints of crisp strawberry and crisp raspberry, along with a subtle touch of crisp blueberry, toast, and a very discreet hint of almond. The palate is fruity, balanced, slightly tight, and offers good definition, a fine acidic backbone, some roundness, harmony, and a lovely grain. On the palate, this wine shows notes of blackberry, crisp strawberry, crisp/juicy red berries, and lighter notes of cherry, with a subtle hint of cornflower/bulb, as well as fine touches of licorice, cocoa, and oak. The tannins are a bit firm, a bit tight, and very finely grainy.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Very aromatic nose with ripe fruit and a delicate hint of vanilla. Soft on the attack, juicy mid-palate, delicately fleshy; the wine gains power on the finish, where it ends savory and long.

Relatively high acidity compared to 2010 and 2016 in this lineup, and the fruit is fresher, still with density and vivid cherry and cassis, alongside pomegranate and touches of redcurrant. As it softens in the glass, this turns into a deliciously balanced glass of Pomerol, already open at seven years old, with plenty to enjoy. Good stuff. An early harvest, 55% new oak for aging, Cécile Dupuis technical director, Jean-Baptiste Bourotte owner.

With 25% Cabernet Franc in the blend, this wine has an attractive perfumed black-fruit character that points up the rich Merlot. The wine, from a fine Pomerol estate, is still young, full of ripe fruitiness as well as a solid tannin base. Drink the wine from 2023.