Clos l'Église

Clos l'Église is among the oldest properties in the Pomerol appellation, with origins dating to the 18th century. The estate was originally part of a larger vineyard holding known as Gombaude Guillot before being partitioned into two separate properties, one of which became the modern Château l'Église-Clinet. The Rouchut family owned the estate for several generations until it was purchased by the Moreau family in 1975, who began the process of modernizing the winemaking facilities. A major shift in the property's development occurred in 1997 when Sylviane Garcin-Cathiard acquired the estate. Today, the winery is part of the Vignobles Garcin portfolio and is managed by Sylviane's daughter, Hélène Garcin-Lévêque, and her husband, Patrice Lévêque.

The estate's vineyards encompass roughly 5.9 hectares on the Pomerol plateau. The terroir consists of clay and gravel soils with significant iron deposits locally referred to as crasse de fer, which are credited with providing the wines their specific depth. The vineyard is planted with a blend of approximately 70 percent Merlot and 30 percent Cabernet Franc. Following the 1997 acquisition, the family oversaw a complete reorganization of the cellar and a program of vineyard replanting. Winemaking is overseen by Patrice Lévêque, who employs sustainable farming techniques and has secured High Environmental Value certification. Grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats before aging in 100 percent new French oak barrels.

The signature wine of the estate is the Grand Vin, labeled as Clos l'Église, which is characterized by its concentrated texture and aromatic complexity. It is consistently recognized as a leading wine of the appellation and often draws comparisons to its neighbors, including Château Clinet and Château l'Église-Clinet. The property also produces a second wine named Esprit de l'Église, typically sourced from younger vines or sandier portions of the vineyard. While Pomerol does not have an official classification system, Clos l'Église is established as an elite producer within the Right Bank wine community. The estate remains a focal point for Vignobles Garcin, which also includes other notable Bordeaux properties such as Château Barde-Haut in Saint-Émilion.