2012 Clos de l'Oratoire

Tasted blind. Greyish crimson. Vegy nose and a bit low key. Very chewy on the end. Pretty astringent and slightly lacking fruit. (JR)

A deep, dense wine, the 2012 Clos de l'Oratoire is going to need at least a few years to settle down. Today, distinctly stony, mineral notes dominate. With some coaxing, hints of dark red cherry, plum, mocha, wild flowers and smoke start to emerge, hinting at the wine's potential. The 2012 is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Proprietor Stephan von Neipperg gave the 2012 30 days on the skins and aged the wine in 60% new oak.

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.