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Clos de l'Oratoire 2012

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

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Tasting Notes

One of the von Neipperg estates, the 2012 Clos de l'Oratoire is an undeniable success story. Dense ruby/purple, with plenty of crème de cassis, roasted coffee, licorice and spice, full-bodied, opulent and sexy, it is a hedonist’s dream wine. Pure and long, it has a great finish and terrific palate presence. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. Yields were exceptionally small in 2012 – 25 hectoliters per hectare.

94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (218), April 2015

The Clos de l'Oratoire was picked at 25hl/ha between 11th and 22nd October and is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Considering how late it was picked, it shows no signs of dilution or rot on the nose - suave and sensual with lush red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte ripe tannins. It is well balanced with a keen line of acidity and a gently gripping, tannic finish. This is well crafted as always. Tasted April 2013.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, May 2013

Intense nose showing dark cherries, dried flowers and soft spices. Full body, ultra-fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, spicy finish. Beautifully crafted. Drink now or in 2016.

92
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2015

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Sweet juicy red fruit. Lively and very fresh and crunchy. Fragrant and refined in aroma and structure. 60% new oak but not OTT. Tannins are super fine, giving a long finish where the fruit fragrance returns. (JH)

17
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2013
Read more tasting notes...

Copious aromas of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, underbrush, incense, black currants and black cherries emerge from this sexy, medium-bodied, lush, fruit-forward St.-Emilion. It should be enormously appealing to consumers over the next 10-12 years.

Owned by Stephan von Neipperg and made with the consultation of Stephane Derenoncourt (who looks after all the von Neipperg estates), yields were extremely low for the 2012 Clos de l'Oratoire - 25 hectoliters per hectare. The final blend was 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and the natural alcohol reached 13%.

90/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013

This is very minerally with hints of dark fruits and dark chocolate. Medium to full body, with integrated tannins and a juicy finish. Very fine and reserved. 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2013
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.