Clos du Clocher 2021

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.

"A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Clos du Clocher delivers aromas of plums and blackberries mingled with hints of spices and creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, lively and structured, with a deep core of fruit and powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish, it derives from prime parcels on the plateau of Pomerol." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (4/29/2022) Rating: 90-93

"The 5ha Clos du Clocher has pulled off a brilliant trick in 2021, proving as it often does that in difficult years you should look for wines with natural density in their soils. This is powerful, with succulence to its blackberry and damson fruits, and delivers cocoa bean, truffle and bitter almond edging to deepen the effect. Natural yeast, no chaptilisation, no saignée (bleeding of the tanks in the cellar), 37hl/h yield, aged in 50% new oak, and 10% wine globes. In official organic conversion for the first time in 2021, but has been working this way for some time." - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (4/7/2022) Rating: 94 ,Drink: 2027-20424

"Sweet blackcurrants on the nose with wild purple flowers, I could smell this all day. Upfront and energetic, the tannins make the immediate impact coating the mouth in a fine dark chocolate and black cherry powder with a chewiness that is so appealing and a mouthwatering hit on the mid palate. I like the succulence and roundness here, but also the verticality, it goes upwards and sideways - it's not massively weighty but you get the flavour and the texture all around giving structure and definition. There is an ease about this while still delivering depth. Poised at the moment, still with that tannic might, real power. Great preservation of fruity flavours and freshness. This will be excellent in time. A great buy! Started conversion to organic this year. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter (5/2022) Rating: 94 

"The 2021 Clos du Clocher has quite a ripe, black plum and licorice bouquet, hints of menthol emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins on the entry, and quite dense on the finish, which will need to soften by bottling time. But there is good substance here, and élevage should shape this into a fine Pomerol." - Neal Martin, Vinous (5/2022) Rating: 91-93