Clos Saint Julien

2020 Clos Saint Julien
“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2020 Clos Saint-Julien sings of wild blueberries, black cherries, and roses, giving way to fragrant notions of Indian spices and crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is soft, vibrant, and nuanced, delivering bags of expressive black and blue fruit flavors, finishing with a spicy kick.” – 95/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown; The Wine Independent

96/100 Antonio Galloni/Vinous

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2019 Clos Saint Julien
This is Catherine Papon-Nouvel s rarest wine in her family since 1950. She is also the owner-winemaker at Petit Gravet Aîné. This 1.2-hectare vineyard is situated just west of Château Soutard atop the limestone plateau of Saint-Emilion. Those who know the village of Saint-Emilion and the little roundabout at the top of the town, have driven by this walled vineyard: it is immediately to the left of the roundabout where one might normally turn right to go into town. Planted at 6,000 vines/ha, there is precious little topsoil atop the limestone motherlode, which gives this wine its distinctive minerality. The 55-year old vineyard is planted with 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. Catherine farms her Lilliputian vineyard meticulously as though it were an English garden! The vineyard is certified organic by the French organization, Agriculture Biologique. All the fruit was hand-harvested. The Merlot was harvested on 19th September for Merlot and on October 7th for Cabernet Franc. Yields in 2019 were 38 hls/ha. After a cold soak, the juice was fermented in truncated oak tanks with a 21-day cuvaison. Malo and sur lies (for five months) aging were conducted in 100% new barrels from top coopers Taransaud and Ana Sélection and should run 12 months. 100% of the production will be dedicated to the grand vin. The tentative blend reflects the planted acreage: 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot 14%.

96/100 Jeb Dunnuck

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2018 Clos Saint Julien
„Schwarze Johannisbeeren, Espresso, Schokolade, Tabak und klassische Saint-Emilion-Mineralität: Der Clos Saint-Julien 2018 ist eine reiche, vollmundige Schönheit mit unglaublichem Charakter und Tiefe. Er ist perfekt ausbalanciert, mit brillanten Tanninen und einem reinen, nahtlosen und dennoch kraftvollen Stil. Ein magischer 2018er, der von 2 bis 4 Jahren Flaschenreife profitieren und 15 bis 20 Jahre in kalten Kellern reifen wird. Er ist ein echter "Wow"-Wein des Jahrgangs.“ – 97/100 Jeb Dunnuck

19/20 René Gabriel

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2017 Clos Saint Julien
“Composed of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot, the 2017 Clos St Julien has a deep garnet-purple color and sings of warm red and black cherries, black raspberries and baked plums with rosehip tea, lavender and spice cake in the background. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals a firm, finely grained texture with a good core of juicy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy.” – Wine Advocate

95/100 Antonio Galloni/Vinous

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2016 Clos Saint Julien
„Wein aus ökologischer Erzeugung. Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandaufhellung. Zart rauchig-würzig unterlegte schwarze Waldbeeren, getrocknete Rosenblätter, zart animalischer Hauch, eingelegte Kirschen im Hintergrund. Saftig, elegante Textur, reife Herzkirschen, feine Tannine, gute Frische, dezente Süße im Abgang, bereits zugänglich, etwas schwarzer Tee im Nachhall, vielseitiger Speisenbegleiter.“ – Falstaff

96/100 Antonio Galloni/Vinous

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2015 Clos Saint Julien
“Some meaty barrel-derived aromas with attractive spices across graphite and deep plum aromas. The palate has very attractive and appealing dark cherry flavors with plush, velvety tannins. Very long. Try from 2022.“ – Wine Spectator

95/100 James Suckling