2017 Clos de l'Oratoire

The 2017 Clos de l'Oratoire has closed down since its bottling, but that is not a bad thing. All of the depth and energy the 2017 showed from barrel are present, but not quite as evident. Dark plum, savory herbs, sage, menthol, spice and licorice add attractive overtones to this deep, dense Saint-Émilion. The 2017 is an absolutely gorgeous wine with a ton of upside potential; it is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year - a wine of class and persistence. Tasted two times.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Clos de l'Oratoire offers up warm plums, fresh blackberries and blueberries with hints of cigar box, pencil lead and charcuterie. Medium-bodied, the palate has great density with loads of earthy accents and a firm, fine-grained framed, finishing with a compelling herbal lift.

The 2017 Clos de l’Oratoire was bottled in June 2019. It has a sweet and candied bouquet with strawberry pastilles and red cherries, perhaps missing the complexity of vintages on either side. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, good acidity, and slightly rustic. Notes of black fruit, tea leaves and cloves appear towards the reserved, classically-styled finish. Drink over the next 5 to 8 years.