Clos de L'Oratoire 2015

Clos de l'Oratoire is a wine estate located in the Saint-Émilion appellation on the right bank of the Bordeaux wine region in France. Saint-Émilion is renowned for its Merlot-dominant wines, and Clos de l'Oratoire is no exception. The vineyards of Clos de l'Oratoire are planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The terroir, which refers to the combination of soil, climate, and grapevine, plays a crucial role in shaping the character of the wines.

Clos de l'Oratoire is owned by the Comte von Neipperg family. Stephan von Neipperg is a notable figure in the Bordeaux wine industry and owns several other estates in the region: Château Canon La Gaffelière, La Mondotte. The estate follows traditional winemaking practices with a focus on expressing the terroir. This includes careful grape selection, fermentation, and aging in oak barrels.

"The 2015 Clos de la L'Oratoire is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 25-30 September at 45 hl/ha. Matured in 40% new oak, it has perhaps the most reticent bouquet at the moment, yet there is very pure dark cherry and blackberry fruit here, very "cool" aromatically and with several swirls of the glass it begins to find its voice. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin. There is good density here, very well balanced, very precise with perhaps the best tension on the finish that I have discerned in this particular Saint Emilion. This comes highly recommended." - Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (4/27/2016, Issue 224), Ratings: 91-93, Drink: 2018-2032

"Crushed plum, cassis and melted red licorice notes are seamlessly intertwined here, with bright chalky minerality and a lovely floral lift throughout. Richly layered and youthfully compact but with excellent cut and drive through the finish." - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (3/2018), Ratings: 94, Drink: 2023-2035

''I loved the 2015 Clos De L'Oratoire and this beautiful Saint-Emilion comes from the northwest sector of the appellation and a mix of limestone and sandy soils. Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, it has an incredible floral streak as well as perfumed notes of spring flowers, black raspberries, charcoal, and a salty minerality that shows more on the palate. With full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin, background chocolaty oak, and a terrific elegance, this beautiful 2015 is already impossible to resist yet I suspect will last for two decades or more. It’s impressive.'' Jeb Dunnuck, Let the Good Times Roll: 2015 Bordeaux from Bottle (11/30/2017) Ratings: 94+ Drink: 2018-2038