Tasting Note:
Denis fiche technique took a little swipe at some neighbours. His advice is simple and to the point. 'Hot and dry… (conditions in 2015) make a start when it suits you, and forget about whatever your neighbours are doing - or not doing. Getting your grapes into vat in good time is better than prolonged indecision and handwringing about when to pick, based on protracted, procrastinating tasting in the vineyard. By which time the grapes are too ripe. For good Bordeaux anyway!' This is actually a sentiment shared by many of the top growers we work with. Leaving grapes too long usually adds nothing, in fact it usually results in wines that lack vibrancy. Not something you could level at Denis. His whole range is brimming with life and energy, and none more so that his flagship, L'Eglise Clinet. This is initially brooding and introverted with more mineral aromas at first. After aeration fruit aromas of bilberry, mulberry, crème de mûre and sweet plum emerge with notes of gravel, roses and tobacco. This is really rather regal and smart, with a taut palate, precise flavours and glorious intensity. It is a large scale wine with layers of nuanced fruit. As one would expect from one of Denis' wines, there is a vibrant, energetic style; there is nothing flabby or dull here, it is refined, muscled, powerful and perfectly harmonious. A very grand L'Eglise Clinet produced from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.