1998 Château L’Église-Clinet

A slightly lighter colour compared to La Mondotte. The nose is in a different class, fundamentally with far more definition and freshness, a mineral component that lends the bouquet so much definition and vivacity. Black cherries, raspberries and a touch of boysenberry, still surprisingly primal after a decade. The palate is full-bodied, very closed and backward, almost coarse in texture but still supremely well balanced with a tightly wound structure. Touches of graphite and singed leather on the long, long finish. I would not approach this with a barge pole at the moment, but it will surely render tasters speechless in 20-25 years time. Tasted March 2008.