Church Closed

A family history dating back to the 18th century

A revival since 1997

The story ofClose the Churchis punctuated by stories of Bordeaux families. Vines have indeed been cultivated under this name since the 18th century, and the vineyard covers 14 hectares. One of the largest estates in the appellation.PomerolHowever, it was not included in the 1855 Bordeaux wine classifications. In 1925, an unofficial classification nevertheless restored the estate's prestige, placing it among the three greatest wines of the appellation.

Following a difficult inheritance process, the estate was divided in two. This resulted in Clos l'Eglise, managed by the Rouchut family, and Eglise Clinet, which would later be owned by the Mouléon family. In 1997, the sister of the owner of Smith-haut Lafitte,Sylviane Garcin-Cathiardwho acquired Clos l'Eglise. With her husbandPatrice LevêqueThey are committed to revitalizing the vineyard. They began a major reorganization as soon as they acquired the vines. The estate and the winery were restructured one after the other. Following the model of their other Châteaux, the owners revitalized production. A significant focus on wine quality has been noted by critics and wine lovers since 2005.

A walled vineyard in the heart of Pomerol

A terroir enhanced by the hand of man

It's on the right bank of Bordeaux, in the heart of the appellationPomerolwhere is theClose the ChurchOn the hillside, the 6 hectares of vines benefit from natural soil drainage, ideal for production. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc grape varieties flourish in the appellation's typical soil. Gravelly soils lie on a subsoil composed of both clay and iron-rich clay. The clay provides freshness to the vines and ensures consistent irrigation. The gravel, for its part, is known for its consistent heat distribution. The vines thus grow in perfect balance. Pomerol's climate is oceanic, which brings coolness during the summer and, at the same time, reduces the risk of disease. The vineyard experiences asustainable and traditional viticultureThe winegrowers therefore proceed with tilling the soils and minimal mechanization.

The expertise of renowned winemakers

A steady improvement in the quality of the wines

After a harvest carried out with the utmost precision by the winemaking team, the grapes are brought to the winery. They are sorted upon arrival. After destemming, the Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes are placed in small, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation lasts for a week, followed by maceration. The estate has opted for a long maceration period. Regular punch-downs are performed during this time. Once ready, these young wines are transferred to 100% new French oak barrels. Aging takes approximately 16 to 18 months, depending on the vintage. The wines, once finished, are blended.Close the ChurchHe is assisted, for this stage, by two leading figures in Bordeaux oenology. Thus,Michel Rollandand theDr. Alain ReynaudBoth consulting oenologists, they assist in this crucial stage. Clos de l'Eglise is a structured and elegant wine that is a great pleasure to drink.