1947 Château l'Église-Clinet

I would argue that the most exciting wines of the twentieth century are the 1947 Pomerols. Although the 1947s from Petrus and Lafleur (both perfect wines) were not included in the Rodenstock tasting, the wines tasted exemplify the number of exhilarating, decadent, and sumptuous wines produced by this tiny appellation. The 1947 L'Eglise-Clinet is a tour de force in wine-making. It is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted. If only more than 100 points could be bestowed! Opaque purple-colored, with a huge, knock-out nose of black-cherries, cassis, mocha, coffee, tobacco, and Asian spices, it is extremely full-bodied, with layers of glycerin, extract, ripe fruit, and seriously high alcohol. This huge, massive wine is exceptionally well-balanced. L'Eglise-Clinet must be the sleeper chateau of the century! Unfortunately, the small production has ensured that few people have ever tasted this wine. The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series III - Flight A of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock. Many years after the tasting from which this note derives allegations were made concerning the authenticity of old and rare bottles of wine sold by Hardy Rodenstock to collectors around the world. The matter has been the subject of numerous articles, litigation and at least one book. Mr. Parker believes that the wines served to him at this tasting were authentic so this note and the others from that specific tasting continue to be posted on eRobertParker.com.