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Clos de l'Oratoire 2005

St Emilion, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

From the Comte von Neipperg, his wines from this over-achieving estate always deliver an aromatic fireworks display of cedar wood, Christmas fruitcake, roasted herbs, black olive, cassis and sweet kirsch. The 2005 has all that as well as ripe, well-integrated, velvety tannin, and full body in a sexy, luscious, heady style to drink now and over the next 10-15 years.

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 30 June 2015

Think of a chocolate fudge ice cream sundae drizzled with coffee, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur and you’ll have an idea of what this wine smells like. Exotic, full-bodied, fleshy, and sumptuous, this hedonistic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc was created by Stephan von Neipperg and his brilliant consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt. Inky purple to the rim, with a flamboyant personality, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. It tastes so good, it may be declared a “banned substance” by neo-traditionalists.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2023 30 April 2008

Made by owner Stephan von Neipperg with the assistance of consultant Stephane Derenoncourt, this estate’s wines sell for a realistic price given how high the quality has been over the last decade. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the dense blue/purple-tinged 2005 reveals a sweet perfume of scorched earth, creme de cassis, pain grille, espresso roast, and a hint of chocolate. Opulent, hedonistic, and flamboyant, this is one 2005 that will be delicious young, yet is capable of aging for 15 or more years.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2022 30 April 2007

Fashioned by Stephan von Neipperg, the 2005 is one of the best Clos de l’Oratoires ever made. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, the yields were small and the fruit was picked very ripe. Along with low acidity as well as loads of tannin, it reveals great fruit, and an exotic, flamboyant bouquet of cedar, spice box, black fruits, and a hint of roasted coffee. This full-bodied, opulent, sumptuous effort will be one of the few 2005s that will be impossible to resist upon release.

Score: 91 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006

This is exotic, with mushroom, blackberry and meat aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and lots of decadent fruit character. Long and beautiful. The best from this estate since 1990. Best after 2017.

Score: 93

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 31 March 2008

Crushed black fruits with strawberry and flowers. Full-bodied, with lovely silky tannins and lots of wonderful fruit. Lots of concentration and excitement. Almost classic quality.

Score: 92 - 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 January 1900

Owned by Count Stefan von Neipperg with winemaking overseen by Stephane Derenoncourt, this is modern but pure Saint Emilion. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. 90% new oak. Dark ruby with oodles of sweet red fruits on the nose – raspberries, cherries, plums and an appealing perfumed lift. Soft and gentle in texture with ripe thick fruit and a sweet, generous finish.

Score: 90 - 93

Albany Vintners, - 01 January 1900

Mid to dark crimson. Still very gassy. Sweet and rather sumptuous but it tasted (twice) as though it was still en malo so very difficult to judge. Relatively simple and easy, as though not trying desperately hard.

Score: 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2010-2020 01 January 1900