Château La Clotte - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

The 2016 La Clotte is made up of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with a beautiful floral nose of violets and roses over a core of crushed cherries, black plums and blueberry compote plus hints of camphor and coffee beans. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features super ripe, wonderfully fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness seamlessly matching the delicate fruit nuances, leading to a very long, perfumed and classy finish.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/10/2017

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Grand parfum floral, finesse confondante du tannin, allonge subtile, délicate et profonde, brillamment construit.

Wine Advocate

94-96 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 La Clotte is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc this year, picked on 12 October for the Merlot and 17 October for both Cabernets. Matured in 85% new oak, it has a fragrant bouquet with plenty of redcurrant, wild strawberry and rose petal notes, real gusto here but also elegance. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a beautiful line of acidity, great substance and fine mineralité on the finish. La Clotte was in a poor state in terms of old and missing vines when the Vauthiers took over the property in 2014, but it is rapidly becoming one of their standout wines alongside Ausone. Superb.

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/28/2017

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez fin, fruité, pur et subtil. Ample à l’attaque, moelleux  au développement, juteux en milieu de bouche, fondant avec des notes de violette et de cerise, le vin s’envole en finale, sur une longue persistance juteuse, savoureuse et noble. C’est superbe ! Assemblage : 85 % merlot, 10 % cabernet sauvignon et 5 % cabernet franc. Production à peine 10 000 bouteilles sur 4 ha.

Vinous

91-94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 La Clotte is a gorgeous wine, but it is also quite closed in on itself. Deceptively medium in body, it packs a serious punch. The 2016 is a fascinating wine to contemplate, as it offers superb potential for the future. The interplay of aromatics, fruit, tannin and acidity is compelling, even at this early stage. The Cabernet Franc here is especially distinctive.

matthewjukes.com

17,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(85 Merlot, 10 Cabernet Sauvignon, 5 Cabernet Franc) | 85% new oak La Clotte is gradually waking up and in 2016 there is a depth of fruit, albeit a fairly quiet component, which has caught my eye. With lovely floral sweetness, this fleeting glimpse of beauty serves to highlight the future for this wine. The tannins are not as strong as they were in 2015 either so I think that this wine is set to be a winner! 17.5+

Wine Enthusiast

93-95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This is La Clotte's third vintage under the control of Château Ausone. The wine has both the structure and acidity of the year. It is ripe, but at the same time really fresh. This could have some serious aging potential.

Jamessuckling.com

94-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is a beautiful red with a deep and beautiful palate that shows wonderful finesse and purity of fruit. Blueberry and cherry aromas and flavors. Medium to full. The tannins are so fine.