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| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.7 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 49 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Mleh on 10/1/2023 & rated 90 points: Needed. Lot of air to open up. Aromas of red fruits, especially ripe red cherries with some floral notes. Full bodied with the tannin nicely resolved. Long finish (557 views) | | | Tasted by ogres3 on 9/20/2023 & rated 92 points: I really enjoyed this and didn't think it passed its prime. Smooth, old-world wine with low alcohol, paired well with food. The missus took one sip and said the wine was too-too dry and opened a new world pounder. (630 views) | | | Tasted by jdjjadair on 8/17/2023: No reason to wait. I generally agree with the recent reviews so no additional comments needed. Fruit is fading and tannins are generally resolved. Palate is still pleasant but not remarkable in any way. Drink now but don't buy it. (553 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 7/13/2023 & rated 92 points: Disappointing in relation to previous bottles over the last decade, I suspect that it might have a limited shelf life. It has lost some of its charm as the fruit has faded, and there are some early hints of stewed fruits on the palate. The finish now seems very exposed and tannic. Possibly tertiary development could address some of these issues, and this could have been an underwhelming bottle, but only time will tell. That said, it is well balanced with great depth, and still very enjoyable. (795 views) | | | Tasted by Willi Vinotti on 7/21/2022 & rated 88 points: As in most previous bottles, the cork crumbled out in pieces. Contrary to my expectations, the wine did not improve over the past couple of years. It is talkative right now, but has not much to say. Huge amount of “depot”, muted nose and a palate driven by tart and strawberry confiture notes. It looks like the wine is paying for over-extraction, the overcooked fruits on the palate do not hint at a great future. Let’s see over time what the remaining bottles will tell. But this particular lot has never been even close to the RP perfect score …. (1471 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 7/2/2022 & rated 94 points: Tasted regularly over the last 5 years, and it has always impressed and thanks to RP for putting it on the radar 2 decades ago. The taste profile is as per previous notes. It is a great wine and good value for money. My only reservation is in relation to its longevity as the fruit recedes. Minimal decanting is needed. (1215 views) | | | Tasted by Mr T on 4/3/2022: Decanted an hour before dinner. This wine is ready to be drunk although hardly old. Still quite dark and full flavored with red fruits and minimal tannin although some acidity/astringent flavors peak through. Long time coming but very good
92-93 (1184 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 10/21/2021 & rated 94 points: This seems to be a wine of contrasting opions with some people loving it with others luke warm. I am definitely in the former camp and think it is living up to the initial plaudits at release. The last 8 months has seen it really move into its drinking window, and this is now drinking with a couple of hours in the decanter. The nose is tremendous and deeply aromatic and sensuous packed with ripe red cherry and red berry fruits with additional floral notes. The palate is deep with a rounded mouthfeel, with the tannin resolved. The finish is lengthy, but there are still astringent notes at the tail-end, and to be honest is the only barrier to giving this an extra point or two. 94+ (1913 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 2/24/2021 & rated 94 points: I seem to be one of a minority in loving this wine, but I have always been a sucker for the array of lesser known right bank wines celebrated by RP in 2000 and 2001. This really needs a full day in the decanter to allow it to bloom, and it continues to develop in the glass. The nose is initially a little green but eventually develops a rich opulence. The palate is packed full of ripe berry fruits, but held in check by perfectly balanced tannin. Likewise the finish is excellent and pushing 30+ seconds. I concur with comments regarding astringent notes towards the end, but have to note it still is in perfect balance. This has a structure to keep developing and stay here for the next decade, and at present is out drinking the 2000. (2183 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 2/9/2021 & rated 88 points: 2001 20-years on Commanderie dinner. Dark ruby still, lots of sediments. I think we have a typical over extracted St.Emilion here from the Parker era. Rich blue fruit, not much aroma due to the late picking, dried fruit, oak, blueberry dominate. Could be from anywhere. The palate also suffers from gripping and drying tannins after 20 years of age, despite the lush fruit. Meh! (2369 views) | | | Tasted by ShadowIII on 1/14/2021 & rated 88 points: Brett on the nose overwhelming fruit, lessened but still present, fruit Ok, good body and finish (1434 views) | | | Tasted by ddingley on 9/6/2020 & rated 94 points: Excellent. Cork came out like brand new and no sign of bricking, color was younger. Good immediately from bottle with lovely balanced palate and did improve over the 90 minutes open. Tannins still soft but firm and this was built to last. (1443 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 9/3/2020 & rated 95 points: I am a great fan of the estate, and am eagerly waiting for the 2000 to be ready to start drinking. However, the 2001 is a fabulous wine drinking in its prime window, but it really needs at least 5 hours in the decanter to be fully enjoyed. I drink this a couple of times a year, and this is as previous notes. It is opulent on the nose and powerful on the palate with excellent balance. As stated previously the finish is not quite up there with the rest of the experience, but is still lengthy. This is still in development and should stay drinking for at least the next decade. (1316 views) | | | Tasted by danibus on 7/13/2020 & rated 90 points: Nice dark fruit, earth, with plenty of tannic spine. Not the complexity I expected based on the other notes. I'll let the other sit for some years. (972 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 3/24/2020 & rated 95 points: This never disappoints, and is one of the right bank wines that shone in 2001. It is fully mature, but should stay at this level for the next 5 years, but I wouldn't be confident in leaving this any longer. It is a powerful wine with a gloriously opulent nose of ripe berry fruits, and plum. The tannin does have decent bite, and the wine has great depth and balance. The finish does not quite match the rest of the experience, but is still first rate, but a little unbalanced. (1381 views) | | | Tasted by lindaaco on 8/30/2019 & rated 96 points: FAVORITE (1319 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 7/25/2019 & rated 95 points: A wonderful wine which is drinking at its peak now with a few hours of aeration, it has a structure to stay at this level for the next 5 to 10 years. The nose is wonderfully opulent with cherry, blackcurrant and flora. The tannin has sweetened on the palate, but still retains a bite, and is perfectly balanced. It is multi layered in its complexity and nuanced on the palate. The only barrier to a higher rating is the finish which is on the shorter side. I can't wait to try the 2000 which was predicted to outperform the 2001. 95+ (1509 views) | | | Tasted by BBencz on 5/20/2019: Black fruit, forest floor, spice, and maybe a bit of tar. Tannins well integrated, but still evident. Drinking great after an hour in the decanter. Another five years to go, minimum. Very nice. (1424 views) | | | Tasted by Mr T on 3/27/2019: Very nice
Good fruit and tannin resolved mostly
Very good and no rush (1375 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 1/25/2019 & rated 95 points: With a few hours in the decanter, this is finally approaching its peak drinking window. The nose is intense with winegum aromas of blackcurrant and flora, which linger and linger. The fruit is balanced on the palate with masculine tannin which has almost fully resolved. The wine is multi layered with complexity and great depth with a 30 second plus finish. My previous criticism of the imbalance on the finish seems to have resolved. 95+ (1557 views) | | | Tasted by BradA on 10/28/2018 & rated 90 points: Night one- A cheesy aroma and tight wine was all to show us.. I was of course disappointed and expected a more robust showi.
Monday with leftovers was much more in line with expectations. Good fruit, brownish red in the glass with a finish of medium length. Enjoy after a long decant. (1166 views) | | | Tasted by Willi Vinotti on 7/5/2018 & rated 91 points: After two very hesitant bottles, this is coming together nicely now! Velvety tannins and sweet mint aromas are emerging from what has been a watery wine before. it starts to have smooth grip and soft dark berry notes. I presume this will get better with time and leave the remaining bottles in peace for some time... (1711 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 6/3/2018 & rated 95 points: With a few hours decanting, this has finally reached its drinking plateau. Among a number of impressive right bankers from 2001, the wine has a deep fruit driven nose with blackcurrent and flora in the background. It has now developed a good depth on the palate with a good tannic bite. There is a good finish, but negatively, with an unsatisfactory imbalance and sourness at the very end. This should comfortably stay at this level for the next decade plus if stored correctly, and I have no concern with consuming my remaining stock over the next 10 to 15 years. (1641 views) | | | Tasted by Willi Vinotti on 2/26/2018 & rated 88 points: After some rest in the cellar now better than the first bottle, but still not a very expressive wine. Hopefully this might become more talkative, but have some reservations given the quite soaked corks. Potentially some difficult storage conditions at one point in the past. Box also looks like run over by a truck... (1688 views) | | | Tasted by Willi Vinotti on 2/4/2018 & rated 87 points: A bit disappointing. Silky tannins, but no obvious taste. Short.
Sort of hidden, hopefully coming out in the future... let’s see. Right now drinkable, but not enjoyable. (1574 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Château Clos de Sarpe Producer website - Read more about Chateau Clos de SarpeRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanLibournais Libournais (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux) - Read more about St. Emilion and its wines - Read more about Pomerol and its wines
Saint Emilion Grat Classified Growth, Classified Growths, Grands Crus Classes, GCC
In 1954, while the "Graves" growths had just published their own classification, the wine syndicate of Saint-Emilion, composed by wine growers, brokers and wine traders with the approval of the INAO - Institut National des Appellations d'Origine (A.O.C), decided to work on a classification for the wines of Saint Emilion. Initially, four grades were defined. These were reduced to two - First Great Classified Growth (A and B) and Great Classified Growth - in 1984.
As of Medoc's 1855 historical grading, the Saint-Emilion Great Classified Growth classification is not only based on qualitative criteria by tasting the wines on a ten years period previous to the assessment, but also on commercial considerations such as:
- sales price levels
- national and international commercial distribution
- the estate's reputation on the market
Properties who don't manage to join the club of about sixty Classified Growths are given the denomination of Great Growth ("Grand Cru"), while the remaining wineries of the A.O.C are simply reported as "Saint-Emilion". It is to be noted that the owners must officially apply to appear in the official classification. Thus for example the famous Chateau Tertre-Roteboeuf, whose quality and reputation would easily justify to be listed among the First Great Classified Growths, does not appear here by the will of its owner, François Mitjaville.
The Saint-Emilion Great Growth classification was revised in 1969, 1985, 1996 and 2006. The only two guaranteed vintage (A.O.C) who can apply to the classification are the "Saint-Emilion Grand Cru" and "Saint-Emilion" areas.
By grading 61 properties, the 2006 revision confirmed many growths from the former classification, but also caused a number of surprises and a few inevitable disappointments. Many observers thought that the impressive progression of Perse's Chateau Pavie since 1998 would be rewarded by an upgrade into the First Great Classified Growths (A) category, but finally such was not the case.
Among the estates promoted to the First Great Classified Growths B category are Chateau Troplong-Mondot and Pavie-Macquin, whose efforts made since the Nineties fully justify their new grade. It should be noted that no First Great Classified Growth was relegated to the lower Great Classified Growth class.
Promoted growths from the status of Great Growth ("Grand Cru") to Great Classified Growth ("Grand Cru Classe") are: Chateaux Bellefont-Belcier, Destieux, Fleur Cardinale, Grand Corbin, Grand Corbin-Despagne and Monbousquet.
The demoted growths from the status of Great Classified Growth to Great Growth are: Chateaux Bellevue, Cadet Bon, Faurie de Souchard, Guadet Saint-Julien, La Tour du Pin-Figeac (Belivier), La Tour du Pin-Figeac (Moueix), Lamarzelle, Petite Faurie de Soutard, Tertre Daugay, Villemaurine and Yon-Figeac. If the recent samples of some of the above mentioned properties may justify their current downgrade, there are great chances that estates like Bellevue, Tertre Daugay or Yon-Figeac will be upgraded to their previous rankings by the next revision in 2016 as the progresses noted after 2000, but not entering in the range of vintages (1993 - 2002) appointed for the criteria of selection for the 2006 classification, are noticable.
The two following estates have completely disappeared from the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classification: Curé-Bon-la-Madeleine (integrated meanwhile to Chateau Canon) and La Clusière (integrated meanwhile to Chateau Pavie).
Finally, no estate considered as "garagiste" has integrated the classification. Valandraud, Mondotte, Le Dome, Bellevue-Mondotte or Magrez-Fombrauge have, for the least, the potential to be ranked as Great Classified Growths. In sight of the very fine quality reached by the above mentioned estates in recent vintages as well as all the innovative wine making methods used by the "garagistes", it remains to be seen whether the authorities will dare to cross the line in 2016..?St. Émilion Grand Cru Les Vins de St. Émilion (Syndicate Vitocole de Saint-Emilion) – Read about St. Emilion
Vins de Bordeaux:
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Soil: Sandy soils with alluvial gravel deposits
Surface Area: 4,160 ha |
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