Château La Clotte 2017

A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 La Clotte displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It charges out of the gate with bold cassis, plum preserves and kirsch scents plus nuances of mocha, cardamom and tar with a waft of aniseed. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers plenty of invigorating, energetic fruit with very well-managed, plush tannins and a nice, long spicy finish.

Now owned by the Vaultiers for four years, this estate continues to rise above its previous incarnation. It's very much a success in this vintage, with no frost affecting the 4ha of vines. They don't wait as long to harvest as the previous owners did. This wine has that wonderful curling in on itself that young limestone wines display, with an austerity but also an upward climb. It's lovely and ripe, but not overly so, with firm damson and black cherry flavours and great freshness, emphasised by some mint leaf notes. It's fairly austere, with good grip. 100% new oak. From vines with an average age of 54. In about six years time they will have more Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, but not yet.

Mushroom and blackberry aromas with hints of crushed raspberries. Medium to full body, firm and creamy tannins. Chocolate and toasted oak. Shows depth and intensity. Beautiful to drink now.

Bought two years ago by the Vauthier family of Ausone. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in tank and aged 18 months in 100% new oak. Inky purple crimson. Quite charry on the nose and the oak shows on the palate, though the fruit is sweet and the finish is surprisingly fresh. Sweet/sour on the finish. But lots of fruit to outlast the oak. (JH)

The 2017 La Clotte was one of Vauthier’s most impressive wines from barrel, and now that it’s bottled, I see no reason to change that view. It delivers gorgeous black cherry and raspberry coulis aromas, interwoven with sous-bois and crushed iris. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fresh and vibrant, very well proportioned, with veins of mineralité on the finish that might be a distant cousin of a very fine Loire. This is simply a superb Saint-Émilion that is rapidly making a name for itself.

Black raspberry, plum and vanilla scents open the bouquet. Soft, silky and filled with juicy, ripe plums, licorice and dark cherries, there is both freshness and flesh here. The wine was produced from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Deep, dark ruby with purple reflections and a delicate bright rim. Attractive cassis aroma, black berry confit, with pleasant nougat and a fine touch of oak. Juicy, red cherry, chocolaty, elegant, with fine tannins, freshly structured and balanced; a pleasant food wine.

Based largely on Merlot (there’s 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc), the 2017 Chateau La Clotte offers a vivid ruby/purple color as well as bright raspberry and cherry fruits interwoven with lots of cedar and sappy, green herbs. Showing more floral nuances with time in the glass, it’s medium-bodied, balanced, and just a fresh, classic Bordeaux that should evolve for 8-10 years.

Dense purple-garnet with violet highlights. Concentrated wild-berry bouquet, followed by red plums and alluring violets. Mid-palate shows a finely powdery extract, ripe tannins and a plush body. Focused, long finish with plenty of dark berry fruit and refined graphite notes on the aftertaste. Bravo! 17.5/20

Kunz barrel sample 18: (85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc) Fresh, fragrant, finely mineral bouquet with raspberries, strawberries, fine chocolate, light tobacco and delicate toasted notes. Fine, elegant palate with sweet fruit, slightly powdery tannins, powerful aromatics, dense structure and a long, fresh finish.

(85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc) Fresh, fragrant, finely mineral bouquet, raspberries, strawberries, fine chocolate, light tobacco, delicate roasted notes. Fine, elegant palate with sweet fruit, finely powdery tannins, powerful aromatics, dense structure, long, fresh finish. 17/20 2024 - 2038

A shimmering profile that never departs from the estate’s customary elegance, with a fresh, intense finish that is absolutely delicious.

A slightly candied, tender wine with beautiful chalky tannins, characteristic of the appellation. It is built on dense substance, a volume broadly illuminated by an almost cool freshness that ensures the wine’s overall tension.

Fresh, taut, elegant wine with great depth, mineral character, and very lovely juice.

Deep garnet red with violet highlights. Plenty of freshness in La Clotte’s bouquet, with notes of eucalyptus and blackcurrant. On the palate, the wine is elegant, gourmand, and perfectly supported by its structure. It has body thanks to very fine tannins that fully play their part. The structure is refreshing and carries the aromatic expression through to the finish. A fine success.

Dark, intense, purple color. Very aromatic nose, refined, fruity, pure and complex. Impeccable palate with an airy touch, a caressing texture, very flavorful taste, solid body, and a noble finish in both grain and aromas. It’s very good.

92–94. Barrel Sample. Dense and ripe, this wine has great acidity and bold red fruit, with a smoky backdrop. It comes from the same winemaking team as Château Ausone and shows great ripe fruit character. It has power and richness; drink from 2024.