2012 Chateau La Clotte Grand Cru Classe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1x75cl

Antonio Galloni 88

The 2012 La Clotte is quite powerful for the vintage, but it is marked by very ripe, cooked fruit and heavy extraction, neither of which seem to suit the personality of this site. La Clotte has since been purchased by the Vauthier family, so there is good reason to think quality will move up from here. [Antonio Galloni, 01/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2024

Wine Advocate 91

This name hardly appeals to most English-speaking people, but the wine itself is consistently well-made and a perennial sleeper of the vintage. The 2012, from this tiny 10-acre jewel of a vineyard on clay and limestone soils with a full southern exposure, is a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellent minerality, creme de cassis and blueberry and raspberry fruit jump from the glass of this opaque ruby/purple wine. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured and impressive, the finish is long, and the wine, sexy and delicious. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 25/03/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030