It was quite an evening at Vertical Detroit commemorating the Centenary of vintages for Clos du Clocher of Pomerol, along with The Fine Wine Source of Livonia, and AHD Vintners based in Warren.  Jim and Remy Lutfy were being excellent hosts and making sure everything was going smoothly as they saluted Jean-Baptiste Audy, the great-grandson of the founder and now the proprietor of Clos du Clocher.  After the Champagne reception, all the guests were seated and the dinner began.  A Charcuterie and Cheese Board was placed basically between every two guests with some fine in-house cured meats and some assorted cheeses accompanied with breads, crackers, honeycomb, grapes, Marcona Almonds, olives, roasted red peppers and whole grain mustard; I could have noshed on that all night, but that was served with the first two wines from Clos du Clocher, the magnum bottles of 2003 and 2009 vintages.  The second course was a plate of Barbecued Braised Short Rib with Polenta, Kohlrabi Slaw, and Pickles.  A Crème Brulee and assorted Berries followed. 

While the preparations were being made for the second course, the third wine was being poured.  We were served Clos du Clocher Pomerol 2018.  Since, I have mentioned the grounds, and the winemaking, this particular wine is also seventy percent Merlot and thirty percent Cabernet Franc.  A deep garnet-purple colored wine that offered notes of black cherries, blackberries, along with traces of menthol and graphite.  On the palette this medium to full-bodied wine offered tones of black fruits, grainy tannins, and a nice finish of fruit and terroir. 

The final wine that was served side by side with the 2018 vintage was the Clos du Clocher Pomerol 2020.  This was the first year that Organic conversion began and was officially instituted in 2021.  This vintage must be indicative of what should be expected from the entire plateau as well as the rest of Pomerol.  Another deep garnet-purple colored wine that offered big notes of black currants, black cherries, violets, and graphite.  On the palette, this was a big wine of black fruits, bold tannins and a great finish emphasizing fruit and terroir.  Since, the last two vintages were offered in classic bottles, we ordered both vintages to lay down in our cellar.