Chateau Clauzet 2016
The earliest written reference to Château Clauzet dates back to 1850. The estate belonged to the Bernard family influential locals and consisted of nearly 80 hectares, half under vine, half devoted to other crops, as was often the case at the time. The name Clauzet comes when Anne Olympe Bernard marries Ulysses Clauzet. They vineyard was her dowry. Maurice Velge purchases the 6 hectare Chateau Clauzet in 1997 and has subsequently added other plots of vines. Today the estate currently has 23 hectares under vines.
The vineyard is planted 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc.
Wine Advocate: 92
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The 2016 Clauzet offers rich and opulent dark cherry and blueberry fruit on the nose, more floral than earthy compared to its peers, but with commendable delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry and I appreciate how those slightly rigid Saint Estèphe tannins provide the backbone here. It will need three of four years to mellow in the glass, but this has great potential.
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Decanter: 90
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Deep and full extraction on show here, yet again proving that this is a vintage in St-Estphe where the winemakers have got a lot of leeway to play with. A big wine held in balance, with cassis, black cherry and some attractive charcoal and menthol. Things close in on the finish, but it just holds off from becoming drying.
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