Chateau La Clotte 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is showing the limestone magic of 2023. Medium-bodied and very polished with a tight, linear structure, but purity of fruit and wonderful length. Silky texture. So bright. 85% merlot and 15% cabernet franc."

WEINWISSER: "Feingliedriges rotbeeriges Bouquet, Johannisbeernektar, heller Tabak und Estragon. Am kompakten Gaumen mit fleischigem Extrakt, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und trainiertem Körper. Im gebündelten Finale edle Cassiswürze, dunkle Mineralik und körnige Adstringenz."

VINUM: "Deutlich vom Ausbau geprägt, reichhaltiges Bouquet, schwarze Kirsche, Pflaume, Brombeere, Cassis; weicher Auftakt, straffer Mittelbau, markantes Tannin, fein verwoben mit der Frucht. Ein Wein mit Biss, Konzentration und Finesse. Darf reifen."

DECANTER: "With aromas of wet stone, liquorice, raspberry and damson, the wine exudes freshness but a delectable mid palate creaminess raises the game at this estate, which only focused this year on two top hectares of the four to bring in the very best grapes harvested between mid to late September. Some drying oak-derived notes (the wine is ageing in 100% new oak) are noticeable on the finish, which makes me wonder just a bit, so being conservative."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Crafted from vines planted in one of the best terroirs of Saint-Émilion, the 2023 La Clotte, a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, reveals aromas of almonds, cherries, dark wild berries and raw cocoa, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and tense palate with youthfully structured tannins and a fleshy core of fruit with bright acids that segues into a long, penetrating and saline finish."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Zarte Kräuterwürze, tabakig unterlegte rote Waldbeernuancen, frische Kirschen, zart nach Lakritze, kandierte Limettenzesten im Hintergrund. Stoffig, elegant, lebendig strukturiert, rotbeerige Textur, feine Tannine, frisch und gut anhaftend, ein leichtfüßig wirkender Speisenwein mit Entwicklungspotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Floral in nature, you also find notes of licorice, cherries, and red with black plums. The medium-bodied wine is soft, silky, vibrant, fresh, and spicy, with a lifted, red berry finish. You can enjoy this with just a year or two of aging. The wine blends 85% Merlot, with 15% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2042."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, La Clotte 2023 is deep garnet-purple in color. Notions of mossy tree bark and dusty soil slowly emerge from the glass, giving way to a core of Morello cherries, juicy plums, and spice cake. The medium-bodied palate has subtle layers of red fruit and savory nuances, with satiny tannins and bags of freshness, finishing on a minerally note."