Clos Saint Julien 2016

The vineyard was originally know as Jardin de Saint Julien. Clos Saint Julien could be the smallest estate that we deal with. the total vineyard area is 1.2 hectares which is just under 3 acres. The vineyard is planted 40% Merlot and 60% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc averages 40 years old while the Merlot averages 80 years old. The vineyard is small enough to be completely harvest by hand in 2 days.
The grapes are grown organically.

Wine Advocate: 92
An equal blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot aged in 100% new oak for 16 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Clos St Julien features warm plums, stewed cherries, dried mulberries and earth with oolong tea and Chinese five spice. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewy frame and earthy layers, finishing on an earthy note.

Vinous: 96
The 2016 Clos Saint-Julien is gorgeous and also quite a bit more reserved than it was from barrel. Voluptuous and racy, with remarkable freshness, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of black cherry, violet, lavender and spice builds as this sensual, caressing Saint-Émilion shows off its personality. The purity of the fruit and the wine's sheer harmony both make for a fabulous drinking experience.

Vinous: 96

The 2016 Clos Saint-Julien is gorgeous and also quite a bit more reserved than it was from barrel. Voluptuous and racy, with remarkable freshness, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of black cherry, violet, lavender and spice builds as this sensual, caressing Saint-Émilion shows off its personality. The purity of the fruit and the wine's sheer harmony both make for a fabulous drinking experience.

James Suckling: 93
Quite oaky, but there’s plenty of ripe sour-cherry character, then good concentration and plenty of velvety tannins that nicely fill the full body and carry the long, sophisticated finish. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94
Brought in exclusively by American merchant Jeffrey Davies, the 2016 Clos Saint Julien knocks it out of the park and is a killer wine made by Catherine Papon-Nouvel, who’s also the genius behind the wines of Petit Gravet Aîné. This is a tiny 1.2-hectare vineyard located just west of Château Soutard that sits on the pure limestone plateau outside the village of Saint Emilion. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, raised all in new barrels. It boasts an awesome nose of ripe red and black fruits, flowers, spice box, and white truffles. Seamless, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it has fine tannins and just covers the palate with fruit. There are under 500 cases made, but it’s a gem of a wine I’d be thrilled to have in the cellar.

Jeb Dunnuck: 94

Brought in exclusively by American merchant Jeffrey Davies, the 2016 Clos Saint Julien knocks it out of the park and is a killer wine made by Catherine Papon-Nouvel, who’s also the genius behind the wines of Petit Gravet Aîné. This is a tiny 1.2-hectare vineyard located just west of Château Soutard that sits on the pure limestone plateau outside the village of Saint Emilion. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, raised all in new barrels. It boasts an awesome nose of ripe red and black fruits, flowers, spice box, and white truffles. Seamless, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it has fine tannins and just covers the palate with fruit. There are under 500 cases made, but it’s a gem of a wine I’d be thrilled to have in the cellar.