Chateau La Clotte 2022

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Intensives Brombeerkonfit, reife Pflaumen, einladendes Bukett, ein Hauch von Nugat und Orangenzesten sind unterlegt. Saftig, stoffig, schokoladig und rund, reife, feine Tannine, bleibt gut haften, könnte man sofort trinken, sicheres Reifepotenzial."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Coming from vines southwest of the village and 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2022 Château La Clotte is one of my favorites in the lineup from the Vauthier family in 2022. Ripe black cherries, red plums, espresso, baking spices, and a beautiful sense of minerality all define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, with nicely integrated oak, ripe tannins, and a great finish."

WEINWISSER: "85 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc. Intensives Bouquet, zarte Rauchnote von der Barrique, Wildkirsche, Brasiltabak und Holundersaft. Am satten muskulösen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, stützender feinnerviger Rasse und engmaschigem Tanninkorsett. Im konzentrierten, langanhaltenden Finale schwarze kleine Beeren, dunkles Edelholz und mehlige Adstringenz. 2029 – 2045."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black plums, black cherries, licorice, and black raspberries with a floral edge lead to a richly-textured wine loaded with supple, creamy, soft, dark red fruits, licorice, spice, and salty chocolate that comes in at the backend of the finish. The wine blends 85% Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Franc. 15% ABV, 3.73 pH. Drink from 2025-2040."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "From a holding on the limestone plateau just outside the village, the 2022 La Clotte is one of the high points of the Vauthier portfolio this year, offering up attractive aromas of cherries, minty blackberries and raw cocoa, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and charming palate with a deep core of fruit, lively acids and refined tannins."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: „A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, La Clotte 2022 is deep garnet-purple in color. It sashays out with provocative notes of spiced plums, boysenberry preserves, and potpourri, leading to hints of star anise and black olives. The full-bodied palate is rich, plush, and perfumed, delivering fantastic freshness and a long, wonderfully pure finish."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Intense fruit with cherries and redcurrants that are exuberant. Full and layered with lots of fruit. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc."

DECANTER: "Perfumed aromas, floral with bramble notes. Tangy and a touch sharp straight away, a tiny bit sour. There's a sense of leanness and focus that keeps it straight and tense but there’s nice juicy blackcurrant and red cherry fruit. Feels a little pent up, the Cabernet Franc coming through quite strongly and shutting down some of the fruit enjoyment, though this does feel precise in terms of definition. Tannins are filling though there is a sense of alcohol that sticks out on the finish. 3.73pH. Harvest 8 and 20 September for Merlot, 27 September for Cabernet Franc"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Ripe, creamy red-fruit aroma. Lovely texture and flavour. Tannins very refined and plenty of freshness. Length and persistence on the finish. Harmonious. The best yet under the Vauthier regime (since 2014)?"