95-
97+
Jeb Dunnuck: A blend of 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot that's being raised 13 months in 60% new barrels with the balance in once-used oak, the 2025 Château Clos De Sarpe comes from one of my favorite estates in Saint-Emilion, and this barrel sample is absolutely riveting. A gorgeous perfume of cassis, liquid violets, graphite, and smoky tobacco nuances all shine on the nose, and on the palate, it's ripe, polished, and rounded, with the fresh, pure, focused style of the vintage and beautiful richness and depth. It checks in at 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.35. Tasted multiple times, it never failed to impress."
94-
96
The Wine Cellar Insider: The essence of minerality with its salty, crushed rock character is in full-force, from there you a wealth of perfectly ripe, juicy, sweet, plums, black cherries, licorice, spice, and dark chocolate. The wine is concentrated, long, and deep, with layers of ripe, vibrant, clean, mineral enhanced fruits. Give it a bit of time in the bottle before pulling a cork. The wine blends 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2032-2055."
94
Decanter: Bright cherry and damson aromas, bordering on yummy marmalade. The attack is bright, the tannins (very) smooth, leading to an impression of finesse and wonderful balance. And special mention for superb integration of the tannins from the 60% new oak, that lend spice and contout but not obtrusive. A great showing!"
94
Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Edelholznote, schwarze Beerenfrucht, dunkle Kirschen, etwas Nougat, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, elegant, rotbeerig, frisch strukturiert, feine Tannine, mineralisch und anhaftend, ein delikater Speisenbegleiter mit Frische und Energie."
93-
95
Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Clos de Sarpe prances out with gregarious scents of plum preserves and black cherry compote, opening out to an undercurrent of candied violets, Chinese five spice, and fragrant soil. The full-bodied palate delivers a very crisp backbone with lightly chewy tannins and bags of juicy black fruit, finishing on a lingering exotic spices note. The blend is 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The alcohol is 14.5%."
