Appellations

La Clotte 2020

St Emilion

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Tasting Notes

The 2020 La Clotte exudes depth and is intensely packed with dark red cherry, plum and blood orange fruit. Today, La Clotte is incredibly primary, with terrific fruit density but less in the way of aromatic complexity. That’s probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects, but readers will have to be patient. It spent 18 months in 100% new French oak, and there is some oak that still needs to integrate.

Score: 95 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2028-2045 Date: 23 February 2023

The 2020 La Clotte comes from a small 4-hectare estate, rapidly becoming one of the Vauthier family's most coveted crus. This is another in the canon of outstanding recent vintages. It offers a mixture of red and black fruit, pain d'épices and crushed stone, gaining complexity with aeration while remaining very cohesive. The palate is very harmonious with finely-chiseled tannins, a seam of graphite imparted by the 15% Cabernet Franc, beautifully focused and refined towards the finish. This is a very classy Saint-Émilion, one that will require time.

Score: 94 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2026-2050 Date: 08 February 2023

The 2020 La Clotte was picked 14-30 September and matured in barriques for 18 months. This has a gorgeous and expressive bouquet with beautifully defined red fruit, crushed stone, wilted rose petal and a touch of sea spray. It is extremely focused with seamlessly integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied and silky smooth. Finely tuned acidity gently builds in the mouth. Very harmonious towards the finish that fans out wonderfully. This is a superb Saint-Émilion, one of the best you will find in 2020.

Score: 95 - 97 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2027-2050 Date: 01 May 2021

Anis, almond and marzipan on the nose. There is a subtle interplay of tannin and acidity, linear and direct, finishing up with a clementine and orange rind bitterness that also gives a sense of forward propulsion through the palate. Has definition and personality, and continues its improvements under the Ausone team. Moulin St Georges has more breadth, depth and texture through the palate - this has more of a limestone squeeze, giving plenty of choice depending on what you are looking for.

Score: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2027 - 2045 Date: 18 May 2021

85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. Cask sample. Definitely on an upward curve these days. Lovely pitch of pure, dark fruit. Hint of liquorice as well. Energy and concentration on the palate, the plentiful but silky tannins providing power and persistence. Shows both muscle and finesse. (JL)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Date: 08 May 2021