Château du
Domaine de l’Eglisedécouvrir le vin

Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider : 92-94

Plums, cocoa, black cherry, chocolate, flowers and wet earth notes crowd into the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, vibrant, silky and fresh, the supple-textured, refined finish leaves you with chocolate-coated plums and a touch of espresso bean on the backend.

James Suckling : 93-94

Pure merlot with violets, berries and hints of flowers. A medium-bodied wine with fine tannins, showing refinement and length. It moves up on the finish. Compact. Hint of coffee bean.

Yves Beck : 91-93

Agréable fraîcheur et délicate expression fruitée dans le bouquet de l’Eglise au travers d’invitantes nuances de cerises et de menthe. Au palais le vin affiche une attaque friande, agréable qui est relayée par la crémosité du milieu de bouche puis des tannins qui se révèlent en crescendo. Le vin est équilibré, élégant et pourra déjà être approché dans sa jeunesse, quoique sa structure tannique offre un bon potentiel de garde.

Terres de Vins : 92

100% merlot cette année, Domaine de l’Eglise se signale par une certaine opulence et un fruité expres- sif, doté d’une touche épicée très intéressante. La bouche est bien alignée, construite sur une matière assez tendue, habillée de tanins fondus et d’un élevage de bon équilibre. C’est un fort joli pomerol 2021.

Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider : 95-97

Licorice, black plums, flowers, dark chocolate, smoke, espresso and wet earth create the attention seeking perfume. The wine is concentrated, full-bodied and intense. The fruit is sensuous, velvety and flamboyant, finishing with layers of opulent, silky, perfectly ripe plums, blackberries and cherries, Asian spice and dark chocolate that expands as it lingers for at least 50 seconds. This could be the best deal for high-quality Pomerol today. Give it at least 7-8 years in the cellar and enjoy it for 2 decades after that

May 20, 2021.

James Suckling : 97

Black berries and cherries with flowers and orange peel. Crushed stone. Some graphite. Iron. Flint stone. It’s medium- to full-bodied. Firm and polished tannins. Very typical and classic. Best ever?

November 19, 2023.

Jacques Dupont, Le Point : 17

Notes sauvages au nez, cassis, sureau, bouche vive, tanins veloutés, sapides, bien serrés, finale salivante, relevée, bien en place

James Suckling : 96-97

Sweet-berry, smoke and black-cherry aromas follow through to a medium to full body with fine tannins that are beautifully integrated and melt into the body of the wine. Rather savory. Delicious cherries and berries at the end.

December 5, 2022.

Wine Cellar Insider : 96-98

Licorice, black plums, flowers, dark chocolate, smoke, espresso and wet earth create the attention seeking perfume. The wine is concentrated, full-bodied and intense. The fruit is sensuous, velvety and flamboyant, finishing with layers of opulent, silky, perfectly ripe plums, blackberries and cherries, Asian spice and dark chocolate that expands as it lingers for at least 50 seconds. This could be the best deal for high-quality Pomerol today. Give it at least 7-8 years in the cellar and enjoy it for 2 decades after that.

March 29, 2022.

Tasting Book : 95

James Suckling : 94-95

This is a classy, almost pure merlot with great depth of fruit and tannins, folding beautifully into the wine. The core of fruit is gorgeous.

April 11, 2019.

Jane Anson Decanter : 93

This is elegant but serious with tannins and fruit that stay on the right side of savoury, and are not drying, despite the fairly evident austerity. There is plenty of cassis and smoky bitter chocolate in the glass with a floral character that comes out after a few moments. This will age but if you want earlier drinking from the Casteja stable, go for the excellent Croix de Casse. They kept extraction extremely gentle and fermentation to 26oC to ensure the tannins were not overpowering. A yield of 34hl/ha.

Tasted on 28 Mar 2019.

Markus Del Monego : 95

Dark purple red colour with violet hue and black core. Very elegant yet expressive and complex nose. Black cherries, blackberries and a slightly flowery touch in the background. Fine roasting aroma, vanilla. Opulent taste with ripe tannins, charming fruit, plums and black cherries. Discreet spiciness in the background. A classic style with excellent length.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Features a core of cassis and cherry preserve flavors, flecked with a savory hint and backed by tobacco and alder notes, turning a bit dusty and austere through the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Issue 2019

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 17

Nez très racé avec ce qu’il faut de concentration et de fraîcheur, le tannin est stylé et profond. Ce coureur de fond nous dévoilera son aromatique dans les prochaines années. On est sur un très grand vin.

Andrew Caillard MW : 95

Medium deep crimson. Lovely intense dark plum, mulberry aromas with hints of dark chocolate. Rich and concentrated dark plum, mulberry fruits, plentiful fine loosknit ripe tannins, attractive richness and integrated acidity. Dense copact wine with plenty of potential.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 16

Fruits rouges, fruit précis, riche, bonne matière, tanins denses, sapides, amer fin, complet.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown Robert Parker

About 30% of the vines were affected by frost this year. A blend of 97% Merlot with 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Domaine de l’Eglise is medium to deep garnet-purple colored with a nose of baked cherries, mulberries and preserved plums with touches of dried herbs, damp soil and smoked meats. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and chewy with oodles of freshness and an herbal lift on the finish.

27th Apr 2018.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

This offers up a mix of damson plum, bitter cherry, savory and tobacco leaf notes, backed by a hint of singed cedar on the finish. The fruit is pure but the structure remains a bit trim in the end. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Issue : 2020.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 88-91

Elegant, with a savory edge to the mix of tea, blood orange and bitter cherry notes. Shows a light cedar accent on the finish, where the savory element takes an encore. Issue 2018.

James Suckling : 92-93

This is fresh and intense with blueberry and dark-fruit character. Minerals and stones. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a bright finish. April 5, 2018.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Jane Anson Decanter : 93

25% frosted but no second generation fruit used. The grapes here are planted on the deep gravels of the Pomerol plateau, and it has definitely come out of the difficult early season strongly. It’s extremely powerful, and very complex in its dark fruit and menthol layering, with a tight tannic structure and an austere character – this is not a vintage for hedonists like 2015 was but is a serious wine with good ageing ability.

Tasted on 9 Apr 2018.

Revue du Vin de France : 15-15,5

Matière bien définie, saine, mûre mais stricte ; rémanence et structure sont au rendez-vous dans ce pomerol « classique ». Prise de bois et réduction ne simplifient pas son évaluation.

Revue du Vin de France Guide vert 2021 : 16,5

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15,5

Nez fruits noirs, bouche dense, joli grain de tanins, profond, belle matière, onctueux, mûre en finale.

Neal Martin Vinous : 90

Markus del Monego : 94

Purple red with violet hue. Elegant and expressive nose, fine fruit, well expressed, great length with wonderful density, elegance and ripe tannins, a great wine.

Jeff Leve : 91

Neal Martin Robert Parker : 90-92

The 2016 Domaine de l’Eglise is a blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc picked on 28 September and 13 October respectively at 40 hectoliters per hectare. There is plenty of ripeness on the nose, a little more exotic than previous vintages with kirsch infusing the red berry fruit, crème de cassis developing in the glass. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin on the entry, nicely balanced with good substance, building nicely in the mouth. It might just miss the finesse of some of its neighbors, but the clay lends this Pomerol much more substance than the Castèja family’s other property La Croix du Casse. The persistence here is very long and powerful.

Issue Date: 28th Apr 2017.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2020 et 2021 : 17,5

Jane Anson Decanter : 91

Situated next to l’Eglise Clinet, this wine is a blend of 96% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc from the 7ha estate, a reflection of its location in central Pomerol where clay dominates over gravel. Beautifully ripe and powerful, with some cedar notes and clean, deep, spicy black cherries. I love this, a classic Pomerol. 50% new oak.

Tasted on 3 April 2017.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 17,5

Belle définition profonde et harmonieuse, de la générosité et du charme, très belle réussite.

James Suckling : 94

The blueberry aromas are very enticing and show subtle undertones of flowers, such as violets. Full body and round, polished tannins that are composed and compressed. Shows tension and focus.

February 3, 2019.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator: 91. This has range, with toasted cedar, cinnamon, black tea and anise aromatics leading the way for dark plum, boysenberry and açaí berry pâte de fruit flavors. Shows oaky notes on the slightly grainy finish, but the fruit just about keeps pace.

Mar 31, 2019.

Jancis Robinson : 16

Decanter : 91

Slightly muted nose but has the quality of fruit and texture on dense mid-palate extract. Purity, precision and lift. Delicious; a bit of a sleeper.

René Gabriel : 18

James Suckling : 96

Aromas of violets, blackberries, lavender and dried tea leaves. Full-bodied, yet tight and focused with everything in check. Firm tannins run through the center of the wine giving it focus and beauty.

February 2, 2018.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

This offers a mix of bitter plum and black currant preserve flavors laced with slightly taut cedar, savory and sanguine notes. Nicely focused, if just a bit shy on depth through the finish.

Issue : 2018.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 17

Grande harmonie de tannin soyeux et de chair onctueuse, fraîcheur remarquable et maturité de fruit impeccable. Superbe.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2019 : 17,5

Réussite remarquable, grande richesse aromatique florale et fruitée dans un profil classique. Sa texture, grâce à la générosité du millésime, apparaît moins austère que d’habitude, sans se départir de sa race habituelle.

Neal Martin Robert Parker : 90

The 2014 Domaine de l’Eglise has a lifted bouquet with blackberry, raspberry coulis, mint and menthol aromas that are quite intense and seem to gain vigor with aeration. The palate is well balanced with smooth, velvety tannin. It demonstrated more complexity than its stablemate La Croix du Casse, with hints of truffle and dark chocolate lacing the finish. It might lack a little finesse, but this Pomerol is undeniably packed full of flavor.

Issue Date: 31st Mar 2017.

René Gabriel : 16

James Suckling : 93

Extremely floral and delicately fruit with an ash and tea undertone. Medium to full body and firm and silky tannins that open up at the finish with juicy fruit.

February 13, 2017.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Offers a solid fleshy feel, with a core of warmed plum and crushed blackberry fruit flavors, backed by alluring black tea, cinnamon and anise notes. Drink now through 2020. 1,500 cases made.

Issue : Jul 31, 2017.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16,5

Rondeur onctueuse, beaucoup de charme et une vraie délicatesse de texture : pas le plus puissant des pomerols mais un soyeux de chair et de tannin appréciable.

James Lawther MW Decanter

Attractive fruit aromatics with a little well-integrated oak. Fine, tightly knit tannins. Fresh finish. Will improve further if it fills out during maturation.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 16,5

Fruits noirs bien mûrs, dense, charnu, grande pureté de fruit, très juteux, velouté, gourmand, boisé élégant, fraîcheur agréable.

Revue du Vin de France : 16,5

James Suckling : 92

Perfumed with violet, lavender and blueberry. Subtle and aromatic nose. Medium body, fine tannins and bright acidity. Very fine and pretty. Savory.

February 10, 2016.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Direct, with a tangy damson plum and bitter cherry core, lined with modest singed cedar and herb hints on the finish. Drink now.

Neal Martin Robert Parker

The 2013 Domaine de l’Eglise has a smudged, earthy and blackberry-scented bouquet with a faint rose petal scent emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, energetic in the mouth if quite rudimental in terms of complexity. The acidity lends this Pomerol sufficient joie de vivre to give 5-8 years of drinking pleasure.

Roger Voss Wine Enthusiast

There is a good structure here, plenty to support the fresh fruits and red-berry flavors. This wine is full of fresh acidity with fruit and tannins in balance. It’s going to develop well, always full of fruit and attractive acidity. Drink from 2018.

Date published: 3/1/2016.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 15,5

Fraîcheur habituelle de fruit, tannin qui s’étire avec un beau retour floral.

James Lawther MW Decanter

Briary, dark fruit nose and palate. Fresh, juicy and lifted. Light in weight but fine tannins.

Revue du Vin de France : 16

Sa belle précision aromatique privilégie la fraîcheur du fruit, avec une structure sérieuse mais sans dureté. Il offre déjà un plaisir certain.

René Gabriel : 18

Robert M. Parker, Jr. : 90

From the family of Philippe Castéja, this well-located terroir has produced a dense ruby/purple colored wine that is somewhat chunky and one-dimensional compared with some of the great Pomerols of the vintage, but still very well-made. Medium to full-bodied with black fruits galore and a nice, spicy earthiness, it should be drunk over the next 15 or more years.

James Suckling : 93

A young red with layered, ripe tannins and fruit that give a walnut and chocolate undertone. Full body, round and polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Harmonious.

February 8, 2015.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Offers a fleshy, succulent feel, with a light jammy edge to the crushed plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit, while warm ganache and espresso notes line the finish. Just a touch stolid in the end, as a woodsy accent takes over.

Issue : 2015.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16,5

Tannin fondant et soyeux avec une persistance florale du meilleur effet, beaucoup d’élégance harmonieuse.

James Lawther MW Decanter

Fine and digest. Fragrant red and dark fruit aromas. Long and fresh on the palate.

Olivier Poels Revue du Vin de France : 16

Fidèle à un style élancé et défini, le 2012 est bien construit, sur une trame tannique sérieuse et avec du fond. Très beau grain de tanins en finale.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 15

Moelleux, du gras, souple, assez gourmand, tanins veloutés, belle matière.

James Suckling : 90-91

Bramble berry and sliced oranges on the nose. Orange flowers. Full to medium body with a lovely acidity and pretty fruit. Balanced and juicy. Pretty length.

March 31, 2012.

Jancis Robinson : 15

Tasted blind. Light and occluded on the nose. Very simple and not really trying. Austere finish after not enough fruit in the middle.

Date tasted : 3 Nov 2015.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

Shows a lightly dusty frame, with singed cedar and vanilla notes coating the damson plum and cherry fruit. The fruit steadily gives way to the lightly firm, woodsy finish.

Issue : 2014.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The dark ruby/purple-tinged, juicy 2011 Domaine de l’Eglise offers up black currant, black cherry, incense and floral notes. Medium-bodied with good fruit and soft tannins, it is best drunk over the next 7-8 years.

Issue Date : 30th Apr 2014

Neal Martin Robert Parker

Tasted at Chateau Batailley and at the Syndicate de Pomerol. The 2011 is a blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at just 30hl/ha. The nose is closed at first but opens nicely with fine mineralité, but it is patently keeping everything back for the bottle. The palate is finely tuned on the entry with attractive purity, caressing tannins that are very harmonious. This leads to a crisp, quite elegant, understated finish that does not want to cause a fuss, but this is nicely crafted.

Tasted April 2012.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Harmonieux, grâce à un fruité frais et des tannins bien construits, fin, belle profondeur savoureuse.

Revue du Vin de France : 15

Un vin très précis, fruité et délicat, avec un charme aromatique certain. Sa structure déliée et gourmande n’affiche aucune dureté.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2015 : 16

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 91

This plays to the ripe, slightly sweet and jammy side of the spectrum, with flattering blueberry, plum and boysenberry flavors and a very polished structure. The enticing sandalwood and fruitcake notes show enough grip for honesty, but this should evolve at a faster pace than some other top Pomerols

Issue : 2013.

Jean Marc Quarin : 15.75

Jancis Robinson : 16.5

Solid with some freshness and very Cabernet build. Racy and dry – claret!

Date tasted: 4 Apr 2011.

René Gabriel : 17

James Suckling : 92

Yummy nose of crushed berries and incense with hints of flowers. Full body, with velvety tannins and a slightly chewy finish. Lots of wood showing now. Needs time to come together.

February 16, 2013.

Vinum : 15.5

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A dense plum/ruby color is followed by aromas of mocha, plums, black currants, cherries and hints of background oak and earth. Medium-bodied with good richness, decent acidity and moderate tannin, it should drink well for 15+ years.

Issue Date 2nd May 2011.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Jolie matière, avec une profondeur au nez comme en bouche, un vin tout en devenir.

Decanter : 90

Discreet mocha and savoury nose; some toasty oak here. Broad, rounded and fleshy, with good weight of fruit and ample generosity. Opulent fruit on the palate. Has drive and length but tight and restrained at present. Firm, long finish.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2012, 2014, 2015 : 16,5

Jean Marc Quarin : 92

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2011 : 16.5

Jancis Robinson : 16

Date Tasted : 29 Mar 2010.

Wine Journal Neal Martin : 92-94

James Suckling : 92

Interesting aromas of chocolate, chili and fresh herbs. Full body, with coconut and light berry character. Soft, attractive and friendly.

March 2, 2012.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator

This red offers flavors of boysenberry, blueberry and violet, with spice and milk chocolate accents. Broad but dense on the palate, with gentle acidity and a sweet finish.

Issue : 2012.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This superb terroir typically produces very good, sometimes outstanding wines, but one wonders if they couldn’t be sublime given the location of this small vineyard. The 2009 is at least very good. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of licorice, subtle smoke, black cherry, and black currant fruit, a medium to full-bodied texture, silky tannins, and impressive purity. (Tasted two times.).

Issue Date : 27th Apr 2010

Roger Voss Wine Enthusiast: 90

Barrel sample. Solid, but still fresh wine, good acidity, some sweetness, but more pure blackcurrant and berry fruits.

Date published : 8/1/2010.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum: 17

C’est l’un des 2009 les plus frais dans son expression aromatique, avec un tannin profond et stylé.

Bernard Burtschy: 92-94

Robe grenat. Nez réduit. En bouche, bonne densité, de la matière, c’est plein, un peu réduit.

Anthocyanes

Premier très beau nez de cerise bigarreau, de cassis avec des notes épicées. A l’aération de l’élégance et des notes fruitées (myrtille, framboise) donnant une vraie singularité. De la matière, une belle densité et des tanins présents et suaves.

James Molesworth Wine Spectator : 90

Supersilky and flattering, with a lovely marriage of lightly spiced toast and incense flavors with pure, crushed raspberry and blackberry fruit. A lacing of cocoa powder firms up the finish a touch, so let this soften with modest cellaring.

Julia Harding MW Jancis Robinson : 16,5+

Very sweet blueberry fruit. Lots of freshness exaggerating the firmness of the tannins. Dense and a real bite of tangy flavour. Needs time.

Date tasted : 16 May 2009.

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2008 offers a big, sweet kiss of black cherries, dark berries, vanillin, smoke, and white chocolate. Chewy, fleshy, and dense with seemingly low acidity, and high but ripe tannin, this appears to be one of the top wines produced here in many years.

Issue Date : 29th Apr 2009.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Nez profond avec des flaveurs de truffe. Pour un 2007, il y a du fond et une texture pleine et soyeuse, avec une longueur veloutée et une fin fraîche et florale, c’est l’un des vins du millésime.

Bettane & Desseauve Guide des vins de France 2011 : 17

Beau vin intense et remarquablement charpenté avec un grain de tanin soyeux et serré. L’ensemble possède beaucoup d’allonge et de potentiel.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 16.5

Floral, fruits rouges, sucrosité, bouche vive, structurée, très beau fruit, long, frais, vif, fin, tendu, bonne maturité, élégance et vivacité. Un fruit imposant.

Gault & Millau : 16

Elégance, minéralité, texture tout en dentelle. La subtilité est ravissante, tout en finesse, avec quelques notes florales et de framboise. Bravo !

Jancis Robinson : 15

Date tasted : 21 Apr 2008.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2011 : 15

James Suckling Wine Spectator

Perfumed, pretty aromas of red fruits and chocolate lead to a medium body, with very fine tannins and a lovely, fruity finish. Balanced and seductive.

Issue : 2010.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 16,5

Sur graves argileuses. Fruits rouges, vif, net, tendu, élégant, fin, soyeux, le terroir exprime l’élégance, marqué par la minéralité, long.

Bettane & Desseauve Guide des vins de France 2011 : 15

Robe assez pleine, bouquet associant les fruits rouges à des notes toastées, corps souple, profondeur tendre mais harmonieuse.

Julia Harding MW Jancis Robinson : 16,5

Sweetly black and toasty. Firm, chewy fine-grained tannins. Just the right amount of freshness giving a fresh fine finish, though tannins are slightly drying at the very end even with the persistent juicy fruit.

Date tasted : 7 Aug 2007.

Robert M. Parker, Jr : 88-91

Philippe Casteja has admirably raised the quality at all of his estates, most notably, Batailley (in Pauillac) and Trottevieille (in St.-Emilion), and the 2006 marks another strong effort for Pomerol’s Domaine de l’Eglise. Excellent plum, black cherry, and spicy oak characteristics are found in this plump, fleshy claret. Fine texture, beautiful fruit, and an up-front style suggest it should be consumed during its first dozen years of life.

Issue Date 30th Apr 2007.

James Suckling : 93

Pretty plum and berry aromas with hints of sweet tobacco and berries. Some forest flowers, too. Medium body, lovely fruit and firm, velvety tannins. Delicious now.

February 3, 2019.

James Suckling Wine Spectator

There’s blackberry jam on the nose, with hints of rose petal. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a slightly mouthpuckering finish. A little hollow, but a very good wine for the vintage. Needs time to come together.

Issue : 2009.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 16

Vin très coloré, palette aromatique associant les notes toastées d’une bonne barrique à celle du chocolat et du fruit mûr, corps rond et souple, très charnu, belle fraîcheur en finale.

Revue du Vin de France : 16

Un pomerol agréable, fruité, minéral, frais, doté d’une bouche élégante et tendre.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2010 : 16,5

Gault & Millau : 17

Le vin présente une très belle couleur dans le verre. Le nez est dominé par des arômes de baies sauvages, myrtilles, mûres et des notes de fleur avec la violette en exergue. La matière est ronde et veloutée en bouche avec des tanins fins et fondus dans la matière, qui laissent une flaveur de réglisse en finale. Un très joli vin.

Jacques Dupont Le Point : 17

Vanille, réglisse, bouche bien fruitée, gelée de framboises, rond, frais, tendu, fin, élégant et séveux.

Sommeliers International

Robe : Rubis intense. Nez : Fin, aromatique, volume et chair, notes de cerise, finesse, élégance, fruits noirs. Bouche : Belle attaque, soyeuse, sur des notes de réglisse, cuir. Equilibrée, fine, élégante, volume et harmonie. Gourmande. Vin du grande finesse qui représente dignement sa région.

James Suckling Wine Spectator : 91

Offers fresh mushroom and crushed berry, with coffee and toasty oak on the nose. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a vanilla, berry and cappuccino finish. A bit hard now. Needs time to mellow.

Issue: Mar 31, 2008.

Vinum : 15,5

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 17

Vin de grand potentiel : belle sève, race et profondeur, épices fines. Allonge brillante.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. Wine Advocate : 92

Perhaps the finest offering yet from Philippe Casteja’s small Domaine de l’Eglise, the Merlot-dominated, deep purple-hued 2005 exhibits plum, anise, mocha, and chocolate notes. Full-bodied and plush, with decent acidity, high but sweet tannin, and a touch of smoky oak, this full-throttle Pomerol can be drunk over the next 20+ years.

Issue Date : 30th Apr 2008.

Neal Martin Wine Journal : 91

René Gabriel: 18

Julia Harding MW Jancis Robinson : 15.5

Rich, spicy dark fruit. Smooth, rounded, harmonious.

Date tasted : 4 Nov 2009

Revue du Vin de France : 15

Le boisé est intense. La bouche conserve du fond, de la tenue, au-delà d’une finale à la sucrosité racoleuse. L’élevage devrait apporter plus de retenue.

Grand Guide des vins de France 2008 Bettane & Desseauve : 16,5

Vin de grand potentiel, puissant, corpulent, gras, intense et profond.

James Suckling Wine Spectator

Shows blackberry and mineral character. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. There’s a slightly hollow center palate, yet this is delicious. Best after 2010. 2,830 cases made.

Issue: Web Only – 2007.

Robert M. Parker, Jr The Wine Advocate

This chunky-styled Pomerol displays notes of sweet cherries, smoked herbs, licorice, chocolate, and espresso roast. Medium-bodied, fleshy, and corpulent, it is a fruity, fleshy effort that should drink well for 8-10+ years.

Jancis Robinson: 16,5

Neat – the upright school of Pomerol – quite severe with lots of tannin. Quite fresh but not very fleshy.

Date tasted : 6 Aug 2008.

Jancis Robinson: 15,5

Smells pretty animal! Very chunky and foursquare. Raw tannins and oak. Old-fashioned.

Date tasted : 24 Dec 2008.

Jancis Robinson : 15

Some real life and excitement on the nose. Velvety texture almost manages to disguise the underripe, leafy notes in this wine. Very good winemaking applied to less than perfect fruit perhaps. Good effort but it will never really shake off that lack of ripeness, I would have thought.

Date tasted : 5 Apr 2005.

Grand Guide des vins de France 2008 Bettane & Desseauve : 16

Excellent et très typé Pomerol. Robe brillante, corps élancé, tanin fin, allonge profonde et séveuse.

James Suckling Wine Spectator : 90

Blackberry, chocolate and vanilla with lots of fruit, verging on jammy. Full-bodied, with very soft tannins and a long, delicious finish.

Issue: Mar 31, 2006.

Julia Harding MW Jancis Robinson : 15

Sweet fresh ripe cassis. Not especially dense in the middle but quite harmonious in this riper style.

Date tasted : 23 Jan 2008.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2005 : 15

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate

Philippe Casteja’s Pomerol estate has fared well in this challenging vintage. Attractive amounts of black cherry and currant fruit, smoky new oak, and loamy soil characteristics are followed by soft, round, nicely concentrated Pomerol with low acidity as well as a forward, plump personality.

Issue Date 26th Apr 2004.

Wine Spectator James Suckling

A good wine with tobacco and berry character, medium body and a simple finish.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate

<p style= »text-align: center; »>A fluid, soft, light, pleasant, medium-bodied effort, this 2002 possesses a deep plum/ruby color as well as glaring notes of unintegrated wood/new oak, and a superficial finish.</p>

Jancis Robinson: 16.5

<p style= »text-align: center; »>Looks a little evolved at the rim. Quite a developed bouquet already that I think I would guess was left bank. Very juicy and good balance. Fresh fruit and a very attractive drink already. Not sure it will last too long. Rather dry and stolid. </p>

<p style= »text-align: center; »><span style= »color: #d7b545; »>Date tasted : 15 Aug 2007.</span></p>

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2005 : 16

Jancis Robinson : 17

Light but true and interesting nose. Very evolved and easy to drink now – a worry? Elegant and easy. Fine boned. Bit of a ballet dancer.

Date tasted : 15 Aug 2007.

James Suckling Wine Spectator

This is very well done. Very pretty blackberry and plum aromas with just a hint of chocolate. Medium-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a lovely, silky finish. Delicious already.

Robert M. Parker, Jr. The Wine Advocate

A strong effort from proprietor Philippe Casteja, this deep ruby/purple-colored 2001 displays both muscle and elegance. Plum, black cherry liqueur, truffles, and smoky oak provide an attractive aromatic display. Medium to full-bodied, pure, and dense, with moderate tannin in the finish.

Jean-Marc Quarin : 16,25-16,5

Belle couleur intense. Nez chaleureux et fruité. Bouche caressante et soyeuse, s’achevant longue, tendre et aromatique.

Revue du Vin de France : 16

Belle matière séduisante, ronde et joliment élevée, avec de l’allonge et de jolies notes d’épices en finale. Un vin ouvert et expressif, construit sur une matière délicate et harmonieux en finale. Une belle surprise !

Revue du Vin de France : 17

Bettane & Desseauve Grand Guide des Vins de France 2008 : 16.

Tendre mais profond, le vin présente une texture fine, veloutée à souhait et un tanin particulièrement délicat.

Bettane & Desseauve En Magnum : 17

Nez délicieux de truffe noire, attaque pleine, la bouche offre une densité de belle dimension avec une suavité toute en fraîcheur.

James Suckling Wine Spectator : 90

Aromas of roasted coffee beans and crushed blackberries. Medium- to full-bodied,
with refined tannins and a long, delicious finish. Very well-done for this estate.

Issue : Mar 31, 2003

Robert M. Parker, Jr. : 89-90

The 2000 Domaine de l’Eglise in many years. It possesses the brutal tannin found in top Pomerols from the plateau sector, but also an opaque purple color, high levels of extract, medium to full body, and superb purity. It is a rich, impressive vin de garde. Proprietor Philippe Casteja continues to make improvements at this property, which enjoys an excellent terroir and has always had the potential to perform better than past vintages have evidenced.

Issue Date 28th Feb 2002

Bettane & Desseauve : 17

La première grande réussite du domaine dans l’histoire récente : corps généreux, texture fine, tanins fermes mais sans dureté, magnifique naturel d’expression et équilibre magistral.

Revue du Vin de France Guide Vert 2004 et 2005 : 17