Completely hooked at Clos de L’Oratoire, my second bottle of 2018. Hard to get a better wine based on the price. The minerality is so good in form of summer wet stones, pencil, this in combination with the dark fruit, plums, black currants and even blackberries makes this wine absolutely fantastic. Decanted 2-3 hours, the tannins are wonderful, a finish that lasts for a long time. Had this to grilled whole fillet of beef (55 °C), grilled skewers and a bulgur salad. Right bank when it's at its best, buy if you get the chance 👌🍷🙏
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Double decanted for about 4+ hours. Deep ruby color with some violet tinge. Lots of bright red and black fruit on the nose with notes of cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, iris, and some rocky soil. On the palate, it is rich and concentrated. Lots of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, and spices, leading into notes of chocolate and a long mineral finish. Soft and round tannins with present, but very well-balanced acidity. This wine is such a pleasure to drink now with a good decant.
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Completely hooked at Clos de L’Oratoire, had to try 2018 (1 of 6). Hard to get a better wine based on the price. The minerality is so good in form of summer wet stones, pencil, this in combination with the dark fruit, plums, black currants and even blackberries makes this wine absolutely fantastic. Decanted 2-3 hours, the tannins are wonderful, a finish that lasts for a long time. Right bank when it's at its best, buy if you get the chance 👌🍷🙏
Clos de l'Oratoire's 2018 iteration is an opaque crimson blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged for 16 months in French oak (45% new). Vinturi-decanted and serially tasted over the ensuing 3-4 hours, it is nothing short of decadent for those who appreciate young Bordeaux. With an abundance of red and black fruit, it adds accents of licorice, savory herbs, Asian spices, violets and bittersweet chocolate. Medium-to-full-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with excellent lift, it has good mid-palate density and well-proportioned oak. The graphite-driven finish is lengthy and carries a fair amount of tannic grip. Classic in quality, this is a spectacular Saint-Émilion that will require some cellar time in order to fully strut its stuff. If you can't resist popping the cork at this early juncture, give it plenty of air. Drink 2026-2048.
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Blackberry, cassis, licorice, leather; robust, powerful, fruitful, good structure, with substantial and long finish; very good indeed After 1.5 Hours: Generally similar though slightly more unstable, and slightly more pleasing upon opening
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Truffle, flowers, licorice, mint and red fruits are all over the place here. Silky, soft and refined with a salty top note to the tannins that rides along nicely with all the ripe, fresh, red fruits. The wine blends 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.
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Medium bodied, elegant, fresh and charming! At the core of this wine you'll find licorice, smoke, cherry, flowers, wet earth, soft tannins and a dried, red pit fruit finish. The wine was made from blending 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 Pts
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8/18/2023 - SirJ Likes this wine: 94 Points
Completely hooked at Clos de L’Oratoire, my second bottle of 2018. Hard to get a better wine based on the price. The minerality is so good in form of summer wet stones, pencil, this in combination with the dark fruit, plums, black currants and even blackberries makes this wine absolutely fantastic. Decanted 2-3 hours, the tannins are wonderful, a finish that lasts for a long time. Had this to grilled whole fillet of beef (55 °C), grilled skewers and a bulgur salad. Right bank when it's at its best, buy if you get the chance 👌🍷🙏
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6/15/2023 - Gracer wrote:
Tbd
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3/21/2023 - brenkim103 wrote: 95 Points
Double decanted for about 4+ hours. Deep ruby color with some violet tinge. Lots of bright red and black fruit on the nose with notes of cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, iris, and some rocky soil. On the palate, it is rich and concentrated. Lots of blackberry, cassis, black cherry, and spices, leading into notes of chocolate and a long mineral finish. Soft and round tannins with present, but very well-balanced acidity. This wine is such a pleasure to drink now with a good decant.
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7/9/2022 - SirJ Likes this wine: 95 Points
Completely hooked at Clos de L’Oratoire, had to try 2018 (1 of 6). Hard to get a better wine based on the price. The minerality is so good in form of summer wet stones, pencil, this in combination with the dark fruit, plums, black currants and even blackberries makes this wine absolutely fantastic. Decanted 2-3 hours, the tannins are wonderful, a finish that lasts for a long time. Right bank when it's at its best, buy if you get the chance 👌🍷🙏
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1/5/2022 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 96 Points
Clos de l'Oratoire's 2018 iteration is an opaque crimson blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, aged for 16 months in French oak (45% new). Vinturi-decanted and serially tasted over the ensuing 3-4 hours, it is nothing short of decadent for those who appreciate young Bordeaux. With an abundance of red and black fruit, it adds accents of licorice, savory herbs, Asian spices, violets and bittersweet chocolate. Medium-to-full-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with excellent lift, it has good mid-palate density and well-proportioned oak. The graphite-driven finish is lengthy and carries a fair amount of tannic grip. Classic in quality, this is a spectacular Saint-Émilion that will require some cellar time in order to fully strut its stuff. If you can't resist popping the cork at this early juncture, give it plenty of air. Drink 2026-2048.
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12/3/2021 - wineappreciation wrote: 92 Points
Blackberry, cassis, licorice, leather; robust, powerful, fruitful, good structure, with substantial and long finish; very good indeed
After 1.5 Hours: Generally similar though slightly more unstable, and slightly more pleasing upon opening
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5/29/2021 - JBL19 wrote:
91 audience tasting
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3/9/2021 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Truffle, flowers, licorice, mint and red fruits are all over the place here. Silky, soft and refined with a salty top note to the tannins that rides along nicely with all the ripe, fresh, red fruits. The wine blends 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.
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4/19/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Medium bodied, elegant, fresh and charming! At the core of this wine you'll find licorice, smoke, cherry, flowers, wet earth, soft tannins and a dried, red pit fruit finish. The wine was made from blending 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 Pts
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