Clos l’Église

The château

Clos l’Église had its standing early. Charles Cocks and Édouard Féret, whose Bordeaux et ses vins was the reference book of the Bordeaux trade, listed it among the first growths of Pomerol in 1893 under J. Rouchut, at 12 tonneaux (the old Bordeaux measure of a crop, 900 liters, or 4 barrels). Four years later, in Les vins de l’arrondissement de Libourne of 1897, Féret ranked it, then in the hands of the widow Rouchut, among the best first growths of Pomerol for its fortunate situation, its well-chosen vines and the perfect care it received. Part of the old Clos de l’Église, once held by Rouchut-Frérot, went into the making of its neighbor, Clos l’Église-Clinet. In 1922 the Rouchut family still had it, under J. Rouchut, the mayor, and it made 25 tonneaux.

Today the estate belongs to the SC Clos l’Église and Sylviane Garcin runs it. The vineyard is 5.89 hectares planted 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc; the wine ages 18 months, and the estate makes about 12,000 bottles a year, with a second wine, Esprit de l’Église. It does not open its doors to visitors.

At a glance

Appellation

Pomerol Terroir of Pomerol →

Commune

Pomerol

Classification

No classification

Owner

SC Clos l’Église

Direction

Sylviane Garcin

Vineyard

5.89 hectares

Grapes

Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 20%

Cellar

18 months of aging

Production

About 12,000 bottles a year

Wines

Clos l’Église; Esprit de l’Église

In history

A first growth of Pomerol under the Rouchut family, 1893 to 1922