Tasting Notes
Will Gardener 92-94
Good deep purple. The nose is reigned in and really pure. There is vivid acidity on the palate, very creamy and silky too, earthy grilled notes on the long finish. This is serious and will age gracefully. Great terroir here. Drink 2030-2050.
Neal Martin 94
The 2018 La Clotte has a vibrant, expressive bouquet, a mixture of black and red fruit, violets, incense and background marine scents that are all beautifully delineated and gain intensity with aeration (this bottle was monitored over 2-3 hours). The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins and a fine bead of acidity, paradoxically exerting weight but feeling nimble and pliant. There is some new oak to be assimilated toward the finish, so give this La Clotte 4-5 years to fully meld together, because it will be worth the wait.
Anticipated maturity: 2024-2045
Antonio Galloni 95
The 2018 La Clotte represents another big move forward for this chateau under the Vauthier family. Bright, focused and tightly wound, the 2018 is going to need at least a few years to soften, but its pedigree is evident, even in the early going. Sage, mint, lavender, rose petal and blood orange meld into the vibrant, polished finish.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2043
Wine Advocate 93
The 2018 La Clotte is a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it slips seductively out of the glass with spicy scents of powdered cinnamon, cloves and Sichuan pepper over a core of stewed plums, boysenberries and kirsch, plus a waft of menthol. The medium-bodied palate possesses impressive energy, featuring bags of ripe black and red berries flavors with a lively backbone and fine-grained texture, finishing on a lingering mineral note.
JancisRobinson.com 16/20
85%
Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Barrel sample.
Black core, purple rim. A touch of
alcohol on the nose but the samples are a bit warm, which is highlighting the
alcohol. Sweet, ripe and dark-fruited. Quite oaky even though there’s so much
depth of ripe fruit. Chewy, dense and powerful. Could do with a little more
freshness. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2023-2030
