Clos Saint Martin 2007

The 2007 Clos Saint-Martin, acquired from a bottle bought in Bordeaux, has a pretty bouquet of morello cherries and cranberry, the oak now completely assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied but lighter compared to more recent vintages. This was a bit hard in its youth, but it has softened in recent years and retains admirable freshness on the pert finish. Drink over the next 5-8 years. Tasted at home. (Drink between 2020-2028)

Tasted three separate times, this 2006 underperformed from the bottle and was nearly impossible to penetrate. It exhibits high tannin, an austere personality, and seemingly insufficient depth or concentration to balance out the wine’s structure. Masochists will probably rate it higher, but I felt this offering was burdened down by a foreboding structure to the detriment of concentrated fruit and overall equilibrium. Time will tell, but my instincts suggest this 2006 St.-Emilion is likely to dry out before it ever blossoms. Too bad – recent vintages such as 2000, 2001, and 2005 have been sublime.