Château Chasse-Spleen 1996

Clos du Clocher is a hidden gem in Pomerol.  It was first acquired in 1924 by Jean Baptiste Audy, a negociant in nearby Libourne.  In the decades that followed, the Audy family added more plots of land to their holdings.  The estate is currently managed by Jean Baptiste Audy’s descendant, Jean Baptiste Bourotte.

Pomerol is a tight-knit and compact village on the Right Bank.  The namesake appellation is the smallest in Bordeaux.  Unlike other appellations, there has been little chance for extension or expansion in Pomerol.  That is partly to explain why Pomerol produces some of Bordeaux’s most expensive wine (Pétrus, Le Pin, to name two).  It has a minuscule 800 hectares and 135 growers.  The village does not have a traditional center, nor any magnificent chateaux.  The only landmark is the church on the plateau.  Hence many estates in Pomerol are named with references to eglise (the church) and clocher (the bell tower).  Paradoxically, Pomerol produces some of Bordeaux's most expensive wine.

The highest quality plots are on the Pomerol plateau, a largely flat area 35-37 metres high in altitude.  The owner of Petrus, Moueix family, defines any land above 30 metres as “high plateau”, which is the most sought-after plots in Pomerol.  That is where Clos du Clocher’s largest plot is found.  It is located by the church, which is the center of the prime plateau of Pomerol.  Neighboring estates include Hosanna, Vieux Chateau Certan.  Clos du Clocher’s other sizeable land holding is located next to Château Trotanoy.

Blue clay, the prized soil known for its iron rich quality, is found on Clos du Clocher’s land.  It defines its terroir that is home to early ripening Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  The majority of their vines are on average 25 years old, with some oldest vines 60 years old, dating back to 1957.  Everything is harvested by hand, and there is a very rigorous selection process.

Many Pomerol wines are made from early ripening merlot and approachable when young, Clos du Clocher almost always has 25% of Cabernet Franc in its wine, which requires more ageing in bottle before it can fully develop.  The resulting wine can age for 20 years or longer.

Considering its overall quality and potential, we believe Clos du Clocher is a rare find among Pomerol that is still undervalued.  For collectors who want to let the wine age, we recommend these vintages: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020.

"Sporting a deep purple-black color, the 2020 Clos du Clocher gallops out of the glass with energetic scents of crushed blueberries, boysenberries and plum preserves, plus touches of ground cloves, cedar chest and damp soil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers beautifully pure, well-defined black fruits with a fine-grained texture and seamless freshness, finishing earthy." Lisa Perotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (05/20/2021) Rating: 92-94

"Beautiful depth to the aromatics on the nose; this is an extremely well controlled and well delivered wine, with a ton of plump raspberry, blueberry and loganberry fruits with texture and juice in them. The depth of flavour that you expect from Clos du Clocher is here in spades, chewy, tangy tannins build up on the finish to give an insight into how well it will age. After a few minutes in the glass, things broaden and soften, and the Pomerol signature seduction comes in, as do waves of violets. A yield of 45hl/ha. 60% new oak. 3.62pH." Jane Anson, Best Pomerol 2020 Wines Tasted En Primeur (04/30/2021) Rating: 95 Drink: 2025-2042

"Lots of ripe cherries, plums, violets, and cedary herbs define the nose of the 2020 Clos Du Clocher, which is medium to full-bodied, supple, elegant, and beautifully balanced on the palate. It displays the vintage’s fresher, more elegant style, yet still beings plenty of fruit and depth. It’s a brilliant wine in the making." Jeb Dunnuck, Bordeaux 2020: En Primeur - Part 1, (05/23/2021) Rating: 92-94 

"The 2020 Clos du Clocher is very perfumed and floral on the nose of exuberant black cherries, wild strawberry, shavings of black truffle and a touch of bay leaf. This is more sophisticated compared to its stablemate, Bonalgue. The palate is well balanced with fleshy ripe black fruit, licorice and hints of menthol. Certainly quite exotic in style compared to its peers, but controlled and quite persistent on the finish. An opulent Clos du Clocher, well crafted and with the substance to suggest long-term aging." Neal Martin, Vinous (May 2021) Rating: 92-94