2010 Clos de L'Oratoire, St-Emilion (Pre-Arrival)
SKU #1066827
94-95
points
James Suckling
Love the finish to this. It really kicks in with bright acidity, citrus and blackberries and minerals too. This is complex. Full and super silky. Loving it! $$
(4/ 2011)
94
points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
It displays loads of Christmas fruitcake, licorice, incense, black cherry and black currant liqueur with some smoky barbecue notes as well as hints of coffee bean and chocolate. Sexy, full-throttle and impossible to resist already, it should continue to drink well for 15 or more years, and I don't anticipate this particular wine closing down.
(2/ 2013)
94
points
Wine Spectator
Very solid, with a dark black fruit profile of currant, blackberry and fig framed by roasted alder wood and backed by bittersweet ganache and mouthwatering briar notes on the long finish. This has the tarry grip of the vintage and should cellar nicely as there's lively acidity behind all the fruit and grip. Best from 2015 through 2030.
(3/ 2013)
87-90
points
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
(95% merlot and 5% cabernet franc; 75% new oak) Deep violet-ruby. Black cherry, licorice and minerals on the nose, plus an intriguing grapey quality. Sweet and pliant on the palate, with soft flavors of dark fruits, sweet pipe tobacco and herbs. Silky in texture, with a persistent, expanding finish. This should drink well relatively early.
(5/ 2011)
K&L Notes
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. "On a north-facing hillside overlooking Chateau Dassault (that chateau owned by a French aircraft manufacturer)," notes Robert Parker, "this 25-acre property is another one of the von Neipperg estates, which essentially guarantees high quality, given his commitment to excellence...produced under the consultancy of Stephane Derenoncourt. The wine was picked very late, in mid-October, resulting in beautiful ripeness as well as the precision that is part of 2010's trademark style." (02/2013)
