Clos de l'Oratoire Saint-Emilion 2018 - Grand Cru Classé
95/100
Vinous
95/100
Jeb Dunnuck
15,5/20
RVF
16,5/20
Bettane & Desseauve
93/100
Robert Parker
94/100
James Suckling
"A lively Merlot from the sands, the slightly muted nose reveals a peppery, slightly spicy, somewhat earthy power that lacks a little distinction. Quite easy, the palate has depth with fresh, frank tannins and good dynamics. A wine with precious agility in this vintage. " (Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France 2022 - RVF) Delivery in wooden cases for all orders of 6 bottles of this wine (excluding Point Relais delivery method).
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Eye
Deep purple
Nose
Fresh with aromas of black fruits
Mouth
Clos de l'Oratoire is a round and supple wine, highly appealing with its powerful fruit aromas and beautiful deep purple color. Merlot gives it both roundness and opulence, while Cabernet Franc brings power, aromatic complexity, and length on the palate.
Serve
At 16-18°C
Drink from
2025
Drink before
2035
Guard
Although it can be drunk from its seventh year onwards, Clos de l'Oratoire is above all a wine for aging.
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy with a rib of beef, confit lamb shank, duck breast, veal kidneys, or Camembert cheese.
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated 16.5/20 (Reference wine)
Rated estate (2022 guide) 3 stars (High-quality production, serving as a benchmark in its sector)
About wine:
Fresh, lively tannins with subtle juiciness in the definition of the fruit.
About the estate:
Clos de l'Oratoire is, along with Canon La Gaffelière and La Mondotte, Stephan von Neipperg's third property in Saint-Émilion, and therefore benefits from the same level of care. The ten-hectare vineyard is located in the northeast of the commune, between Soutard and Balestard, on a very clay-limestone terroir that is perfectly suited to Merlot. In recent vintages, the wine has shown steady improvement, with a creamy, very expressive tannic style and a velvety, very spherical mid-palate. Today, the 2014, which has good volume, retails for around €30, which is good value for money considering its quality and that of its peers. The 2016 is particularly successful.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Wine rating (2021 guide) 93/100 (Outstanding wine)
Rated Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
About wine:
The 2018 Clos de l'Oratoire boasts a deep purple-garnet color and a rock star nose of plum jam, chocolate-covered cherries, and blackberries, along with notes of candied violets, licorice, and Sichuan pepper with a hint of tapenade. The medium-bodied to full-bodied palate is loaded with juicy black fruit as well as plenty of exotic spices and earthy accents, supported by very ripe, soft tannins and consistent freshness, with a long, fragrant finish.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2022 guide) 15,5/20 (Good wine)
Rated estate (2022 guide) Selected (Please note that this guide is a ranking and, as such, all the estates listed in it, even those without stars, represent, in our opinion, the excellence of French production.)
About wine:
A lively Merlot from the sands, the slightly muted nose reveals a peppery, slightly spicy, somewhat earthy power that lacks a little distinction. Quite easy, the palate has depth with fresh, frank tannins and good dynamics. A wine with valuable agility in this vintage.
About the estate:
Located on fairly sandy soil between Soutard, Balestard, and Dassault, Clos de l'Oratoire is undeniably less prestigious than the other two Saint-Émilion wines from the Neipperg stable, Canon-la-Gaffelière and La Mondotte. However, it also benefits from the agronomic efforts undertaken by the dashing Count Stefan. Its 13-hectare terroir is proving more difficult to convert to organic farming. Consistent and complete, if not complex, the wine impresses in its youth with its intensity and the comfortable roundness of its fruit, often blackcurrant, blackberry, and blueberry. It can surprise with age, as in the remarkable 2008 vintage.
Vinous
Wine rated 95/100
James Suckling
Wine rated (2021 guide) 94/100
Rated Recommended
About wine:
Aromas of fresh blackberries, dried leaves, dark chocolate, lemon zest, and walnuts. A hint of damp earth as well. Medium-bodied to full-bodied with firm, fine tannins. Tight and focused layers. A rather juicy wine. Best from 2025 onwards.
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated 95/100
Customer rating
3.8/5
based on 4 reviews
Note and opinion by Mr. JEAN V. Published on 11/06/2023
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Note and opinion by Mr. GHISLAIN D. Published on 05/05/2023
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Note and opinion by Mr. CHRISTIAN D. Published on 05/05/2023
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Note and opinion by Mr. GILBERT D. Published on 12/03/2022
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