2017 Clos de l`Oratoire (St-Emilion)

The 2017 Clos de l’Oratoire was picked 26 September to 2 October at just 11hl/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a ripe dark cherry, boysenberry and cassis scented bouquet that does not deliver the precision of previous recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannin on the entry, moderate depth, however it is missing the usual joie-de-vivre that this Saint-Émilion can possess. It just misses cohesion and density on the finish. As such, I would drink this within the first five or six years. Tasted four times with consistent notes. 86-88 points

The 2017 Clos de l`Oratoire is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Note there is no Cabernet Sauvignon this year, as the low part of this vineyard was damaged by the spring frosts, affecting in total about 70% of the production this year. Therefore, this vintage contains a large proportion of second-generation crop. It has a nose of baked cherries, plum preserves and spice cake with wafts of black pepper and tapenade. The palate is medium-bodied and elegantly fruited with great freshness and well-played chewy tannins, finishing long and earthy. 90-92 points