| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2016 Clos la Madeleine, which was one of the final vintages before it was subsumed into Bélair-Monange, has a slightly more high-toned and exotic bouquet compared to its peers: black cherries, leather and clove, harmonious with well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannins, a solid Right Bank '16, a little savoury and Rhône-like towards the finish, though I appreciate the length. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. 2026-2040.
This small château was purchased by Ets Jean-Pierre Moueix in 2017 and now no longer exists as it has been integrated into Belair Monange (along with Château Magdelaine). It occupied a prime location on the famous Saint Emilion south-west facing limestone slope just below Ausone and Belair and above Angélus. The 2016 was the last vintage to be made under the supervision of Hubert de Bouard (owner of Angélus). Ruby colour. The nose here is sweet with a touch of mint chocolate, roasted cherry and kirsch. The palate has the same sweet fruit, with softening menthol cigarette and leather notes. The tannins are pithy and softening into the wine, giving it a rounded, juicy sweetness. Oily cherry and raspberry jam, peppermint and cassis line a long, youthful finish. Drink over the coming decade while that fruit sweetness is at its peak.
Very ripe, almost jammy with plum, dark-berry and cherry character. Full, round and chewy. Intense. Grapes were picked late. Extremely well done.
I kept going back for another taste of this wine, so delightful is the structure. Lovely chalky tannins, this shows how in 2016 the new oak can be beautifully eaten up. Gorgeous minerality and deft black fruits, precise and finessed. 2.3ha from the limestone plateau and slopes, this is the smallest classified growth in St-Émilion. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 100% new oak. 2027-2050
Tasted blind. Lustrous dark garnet. High-toned cassis nose. Sleek. Almost tastes like Cabernet. Vigorous and fresh. Still youthful. Long. 2026-2040
The 2016 Clos la Madeleine has a rounded, pastille-like bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit tinged with vanilla pod. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red cherry fruit, fine acidity and a nimble, quite precise finish with just the right amount of salinity. Delicious!
