List of products by brand CHATEAU L'EGLISE-CLINET

On the plateau of Pomerol, north of the village church that lends the property its name, Château l'Eglise-Clinet represents a particular vision of the Right Bank: 4 hectares of carefully tended vines, disciplined yields, and a family at the helm for four decades.

A plateau terroir at the heart of Pomerol

The Pomerol appellation sits between Libourne and Saint-Émilion and carries no official classification. Its hierarchy rests entirely on the reputation of individual properties and, above all, on the quality of their terroir. Château l'Eglise-Clinet occupies a privileged position on the plateau — the highest and most sought-after ground in the appellation — where soils of gravel and clay over a subsoil of crasse de fer (iron-rich hardpan) provide the conditions that define the finest Pomerol. This iron-bearing subsoil, a geological signature of the plateau, acts as a natural regulator: retaining moisture in dry years, draining excess water in wet ones, and imparting to the wines a mineral tension that sets them apart from the sandier, lower-lying parcels of the appellation.

From 1882 to the present day: a château shaped by two families

The estate was founded in 1882 by the Mauléon-Rouchut family, who established its boundaries and planted the vineyard that exists, in essence, today. In 1983, Denis Durantou took over the château and, over the following decades, systematically raised its standing within Pomerol — reducing yields, refining the blend, and bringing the wines to the attention of the most discerning collectors. His work placed Château l'Eglise-Clinet firmly among the reference properties of the appellation. When Denis Durantou passed away in May 2020, his daughter Noémie assumed the direction of the estate. Trained in both viticulture and oenology, she has continued the exacting approach her father established, maintaining yields at a maximum of 35 hl/ha across the 4-hectare vineyard. The grape varieties planted — predominantly Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and a small proportion of Malbec — reflect the traditional encépagement of Pomerol, with each variety contributing its own character to the final blend: Merlot for richness and texture, Cabernet Franc for structure and aromatic lift, Malbec for depth of colour and a subtle spiced note.

Winemaking: restraint and precision

The philosophy at Château l'Eglise-Clinet is one of restraint. Yields capped at 35 hl/ha concentrate flavour in the fruit before it reaches the winery. Vinification respects the character of each parcel, and the élevage is conducted with care to preserve the mineral qualities of the plateau terroir rather than to impose a winemaking signature. The result is a red Pomerol of genuine depth — structured, but never heavy; generous, but never overworked.

The wines of Château l'Eglise-Clinet

• Château l'Eglise-Clinet (Pomerol) — the grand vin: a Merlot-dominant red from the plateau, combining richness of texture with the mineral tension of iron-bearing soils. Built for the cellar, at its best with several years of bottle age.
• La Petite Eglise (Pomerol) — the second wine of the château, offering earlier accessibility while retaining the appellation's characteristic roundness and depth.

Why we have selected Château l'Eglise-Clinet

We have listed Château l'Eglise-Clinet because it represents, in our view, one of the most coherent expressions of the Pomerol plateau: a small, well-defined terroir, managed with discipline by a family that has never sought volume at the expense of quality. The combination of crasse de fer subsoil, controlled yields, and a blend anchored in Merlot produces wines of real character — structured enough to reward patience in the cellar, yet with the warmth and generosity that make Right Bank Bordeaux so compelling. We recommend these wines to confirmed amateurs of Pomerol and Saint-Émilion who are looking to explore the appellation beyond its most celebrated names, and to collectors building a cellar of serious Right Bank reds. At the table, the grand vin pairs beautifully with roast lamb, duck with seasonal mushrooms, or a well-aged hard cheese.

Discover all wines from this château

Browse the full selection of Château l'Eglise-Clinet wines available to order below, including current and back vintages where stock allows.