This is rich, with layers upon layers of black chocolate, ripe fleshy blackberries and raspberries tempered by acidity and tannins that support, pushing the entire palate slowly onwards and upwards. It has all the generosity of the vintage but tempered with Durantou`s amazing ability to sculpt freshness out of the fruit his vineyards deliver. It’s immensely seductive and powerful with more evident flesh than the 2016 – a wine that’s going to run and run. 97 points

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc; 70% new oak. Black core with purple rim. Pure cassis fruit on the nose and a touch of vanilla but quite introverted still though it opens up in the glass. There`s more finesse here than in the Petite Église but there`s so much sweet charry oak on the palate it is a bit overwhelming. Thick and chewy on the finish. Very rich but could be more elegant. Second sample from the same barrique taken the same day: still dense but with a little more freshness and the tannins are finer, the oak less intrusive. Not sure how it will age and have given perhaps optimistic drink dates. Drink 2024-33. 16.5 points

Maintaining freshness in the wine was a priority for Denis Durantou at L’Eglise Clinet. “The pH developed quite quickly,” he said. “We had to test it every day; we had made a conscious decision to pick before it got too high. At a maximum of 3.7 pH, we pick. As soon as we have an evolution—a flavor change—we decide to pick.” Merlot was picked September 18-26 and Cabernet Franc on September 28. The resulting wine has a 3.63 pH and 14.5% alcohol and will be aged in 70% new barriques. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 L`Eglise Clinet is deep purple-black in color and opens with beguiling truffles, forest floor, mossy bark and black tea scents, slowly unfurling to reveal a core of Black Forest cake, plum preserves, licorice and candied violets plus wafts of tar and cast iron pan. Full-bodied, concentrated and ja m-packed with muscular fruit, the velvety-textured palate delivers layer upon layer of savory and earthy accents, finishing with a lingering mineral lift. 96-98 points

The 2018 L`Eglise-Clinet is a powerful, tightly wound wine. In fact, it is one of the most reticent Pomerols I tasted, which makes it hard to evaluate today but probably bodes extremely well for the future. Dark and brooding in the glass, the 2018 has too much to offer. A wine of real gravitas and power, the 2018 is likely to need the better part of the next decade to open up, and even that probably won`t be enough. Spice, leather, lavender, rose petal and tobacco gradually develop in the glass, but what really comes through is the sheer depth and intensity of the year. 95-98 points

The assemblage in this vintage is 90% Merlot, picked September 18th to the 26th, and 10% Cabernet Franc, picked September 28th. It presents a very elegant nose, with toasted black cherry fruits, tightly defined, with a fresh and fragrant edge, along with a chalky lift which immediately suggests freshness and poise. The palate is pure, cool, brightly defined, with a lovely layer of spiced black plums, wild cherries, cinnamon and toast, underpinned by a bed of ripe, svelte and tightly knit tannins. There are swirls of vanilla flower on the palate, dressed with cocoa bean and toast, and it has a rather elegant and understated texture for the vintage. The tannins certainly feel typical of 2018 though, being rich, ripe, polished and velvety. A restrained and nicely judged style, with some fine potential. The élevage will be in 70% new oak. 96-98 points