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Clos de l'Oratoire 2015

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot

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Label

Tasting Notes

Aromas of bark, blackberries, currants and basil leaf, not to mention lavender and sage. Full body, integrated tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Layered and beautiful. Drink in 2022.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2018

Tasted blind. Very round with virtually zero tannin in evidence. No grip and not enough freshness. Pinched finish.
Drink 2022-2028

15
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2019

Sourced from a combination of young Cabernet Franc and old Merlot vines, both cultivated
organically, Stephan von Neipperg’s red is smooth, chalky and deeply coloured, with crunchy
red and black fruits and a stylish patina of oak. Drink: 2020-28

93
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2016

With more obvious oak and a lot more power and amplitude than some this is a rich, slightly sour wine with combative
tannins and fierce acidity. I think that the oak is quite dominant and with these skinsy tannins on top it seems too raw
and I cannot see this balancing out.

16+
Matthew Jukes, Matthew Jukes' Blog, April 2016
Read more tasting notes...

The 2015 Clos de la L'Oratoire is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 25-30 September at 45 hl/ha. Matured in 40% new oak, it has perhaps the most reticent bouquet at the moment, yet there is very pure dark cherry and blackberry fruit here, very "cool" aromatically and with several swirls of the glass it begins to find its voice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. There is good density here, very well balanced, very precise with perhaps the best tension on the finish that I have discerned in this particular Saint Emilion. This comes highly recommended. Drink 2018-2032

91/93
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (224), April 2016

A depth and texture that is very unique for this estate with blackberry, stone and mineral undertones. Full and tight. Wonderful length and style. Precise.

95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2016

Very dark crimson. Fresh salty nose. Really pretty sweet on the palate but there is (just) enough freshness. Not a big wine, but should give pleasure. Just very slightly drying on the end.
Drink 2022-2032

16.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2016
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.