Clos de l’Oratoire St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Clos L'Oratoire

Learn everything about Clos de l’Oratorie St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairings. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Clos de l’Oratoire History, Overview

While Clos de l’Oratoire is well known today, unlike numerous St. Emilion estates, the history of the property does not date all that far back. The vineyards of what we know of as Clos de l’Oratoire has been in use since the 1800s.

It was at one time part of the massive Peyreau estate. When that vineyard was split into separate parts around the time of the first St. Emilion classification, Clos de l’Oratoire came into being using the better terroirs from the previously larger vineyard.

In 1972, the vineyards of Clos de l’Oratoire and Peyreau were purchased by Joseph-Hubert, Graf von Neipperg, the father of the current owner, Stephan von Neipperg.

Stephan von Neipperg who began working with Clos de l’Oratoire in 1991 also owns several other Right Bank vineyards including Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere and La Mondotte as well as Chateau Peyreau in St. Emilion and Chateau dAiguilhe in Cotes de Castillon.

Stephan von Neipperg also consults several other Bordeaux wine producers and maintains interests in the Saint Emilion Satellite appellations and Pessac Leognan.

Clos de l’Oratoire Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 13-hectare vineyard of Clos l’Oratorie is planted to 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Sauvignon has been removed while the Cabernet Franc has increased. The character of the wine is the result of two unique terroirs.

On the hillsides, you find clay, limestone, and Fronsac molasse. On the bottom of the slopes, the soils are clay with sand. Clos de l’Oratoire is located on the northeast slope of St. Emilion giving it a slightly cooler terroir, which is perfect for the Merlot-dominated vineyard.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 5,500 to 7,500 vines per hectare. The newer plantings are at higher vine densities. On average, the vines are old at an impressive 35 years of age.

At Clos de l’Oratoire, just like you find at all the Neipperg Bordeaux estates, they practice sustainable viticulture and take a biodynamic approach to vineyard management. They never use herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides.

The wine of Clos de l’Oratoire is whole berry fermented in temperature-controlled, oak tanks with regular pneumatic pigeages and on average, a 26-day cuvaison period. Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels with aging on its fine lees.

Clos de l’Oratoire is aged in 80% new, French, oak barrels for between 14 and 18 months, depending on the character of the vintage. Slightly more than 2,000 cases of Clos de l’Oratoire wine are produced every year.

The best vintages of Clos de l’Oratoire are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2000, 1998 and 1990. The style and quality of Clos de l’Oratoire are high, yet prices remain fair for a St. Emilion wine at this level of quality.

When to Drink Clos de l’Oratoire, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Clos de l’Oratoire when young, can be decanted for 1-2 hours, or more. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Clos de l’Oratoire offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 7-20 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Clos de l’Oratoire with Wine and Food Pairings

Clos de l’Oratoire is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Clos de l’Oratoire is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Clos de l’Oratoire is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

Stephan von Neipperg is also involved in a Bulgarian winery and vineyard planted to Bordeaux varietals and Syrah in the Bessa Valley. The top wine is sold under the name of Enira.

In 2005 Stephan von Neipperg added South Africa to the list of wine regions he consults when he began working with Capaia Wines in the Stellenbosch appellation. In 2015, Stephan von Neipperg announced he was going to become an investor and partner in Capaia Wines, which produces wines from Bordeaux grape varietals.

www.neipperg.com

Clos de l'Oratoire Wine Tasting Notes

23 Vintages 151,811 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
94
Licorice, violets, black plums, incense, black raspberries, smoke, and leafy herbs open the nose. On the palate, the wine is creamy, fresh, rich, and loaded with black fruits, crushed stone, and spice. The oak is already close to fully integrated. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2045. 93-95 Pts.

Licorice, violets, black plums, incense, black raspberries, smoke, and leafy herbs open the nose. On the palate, the wine is creamy, fresh, rich, and loaded with black fruits, crushed stone, and spice. The oak is already close to fully integrated. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2045. 93-95 Pts.

3,266 Views   Tasted
2021
93
With a strong floral, and mint lean to the spicy, red fruits and crushed rocks in the nose, the wine is fresh, supple. ripe and savory. You also find touches of chocolate, cherries, and salty chalk in the mid-palate and in the supple, finish. Drink from 2024-2045.

With a strong floral, and mint lean to the spicy, red fruits and crushed rocks in the nose, the wine is fresh, supple. ripe and savory. You also find touches of chocolate, cherries, and salty chalk in the mid-palate and in the supple, finish. Drink from 2024-2045.

204 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Savory red fruits, citrus, dried flowers, and tobacco leaf nuances form the core of this elegant, fresh, medium-bodied wine. There is vibrancy, cut, and freshness to the fruits with a blend of orange peel, kirsch, and savory herbs in the finish. This will be delicious on release and should age for close to 2 decades. Drink from 2023-2038.

Savory red fruits, citrus, dried flowers, and tobacco leaf nuances form the core of this elegant, fresh, medium-bodied wine. There is vibrancy, cut, and freshness to the fruits with a blend of orange peel, kirsch, and savory herbs in the finish. This will be delicious on release and should age for close to 2 decades. Drink from 2023-2038.

2,715 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, floral, soft, elegant, silky and almost ready to go, here you find polished, plums and cherries with a gentle touch of chocolate on the palate and in the fruit-filled finish. The wine was made from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 91-93 Pts

Medium-bodied, floral, soft, elegant, silky and almost ready to go, here you find polished, plums and cherries with a gentle touch of chocolate on the palate and in the fruit-filled finish. The wine was made from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 91-93 Pts

4,047 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Black raspberries, garden herbs, flowers, licorice and chocolate covered cherries create the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, soft, silky, polished and fresh, the wine is already so easy to taste, with all its layers of cocoa dusted plums and energy, it is going to be hard to wait a few years for it to develop more secondary notes. But give it a few years of sleep, it will be worth the wait. Drink from 2024-2036.

Black raspberries, garden herbs, flowers, licorice and chocolate covered cherries create the aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, soft, silky, polished and fresh, the wine is already so easy to taste, with all its layers of cocoa dusted plums and energy, it is going to be hard to wait a few years for it to develop more secondary notes. But give it a few years of sleep, it will be worth the wait. Drink from 2024-2036.

3,172 Views   Tasted
Earthy, forest floor, black and red fruit aromas dominate the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, soft and elegant, with a core of crushed stones, red fruit, licorice and lifted, energetic fruits, with chalky tannins in the finish. The wine was made from blending 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 Pts

Earthy, forest floor, black and red fruit aromas dominate the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, soft and elegant, with a core of crushed stones, red fruit, licorice and lifted, energetic fruits, with chalky tannins in the finish. The wine was made from blending 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 Pts

6,608 Views   Tasted
2018
93
Truffle, flowers, licorice, mint and red fruits are all over the place here. Silky, soft and refined with a salty top note to the tannins that rides along nicely with all the ripe, fresh, red fruits. The wine blends 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.

Truffle, flowers, licorice, mint and red fruits are all over the place here. Silky, soft and refined with a salty top note to the tannins that rides along nicely with all the ripe, fresh, red fruits. The wine blends 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc.

4,141 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied, elegant, fresh and charming! At the core of this wine you'll find licorice, smoke, cherry, flowers, wet earth, soft tannins and a dried, red pit fruit finish. The wine was made from blending 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 Pts

Medium bodied, elegant, fresh and charming! At the core of this wine you'll find licorice, smoke, cherry, flowers, wet earth, soft tannins and a dried, red pit fruit finish. The wine was made from blending 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. 92-94 Pts

5,660 Views   Tasted
2017
92
Strawberry, earth, black cherry and floral notes open the wine. Medium/full bodied with lush, soft textures, the fruit is juicy, fresh and sweet. You can drink this young or age it for a few years. The wine was made from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place September 26 to October 10. Due to the frost, close to 65% of the harvest was lost.

Strawberry, earth, black cherry and floral notes open the wine. Medium/full bodied with lush, soft textures, the fruit is juicy, fresh and sweet. You can drink this young or age it for a few years. The wine was made from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place September 26 to October 10. Due to the frost, close to 65% of the harvest was lost.

3,645 Views   Tasted
2016
93
Black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, flowers, smoke and espresso on the nose, when this wine hits your palate you’ll find ripe, fresh, sweet, silky dark red berries and plum. Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, there is a sweetness and softness to the tannins, carrying fruit and freshness to the endnote.

Black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, flowers, smoke and espresso on the nose, when this wine hits your palate you’ll find ripe, fresh, sweet, silky dark red berries and plum. Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, there is a sweetness and softness to the tannins, carrying fruit and freshness to the endnote.

5,272 Views   Tasted
2015
93
Silky, soft, fresh and fruity, you can already find some secondary notes of truffle, tobacco, flowers and earth. Medium/full bodied with a silky, lush finish, give this a few years in the cellar and it will be even better.

Silky, soft, fresh and fruity, you can already find some secondary notes of truffle, tobacco, flowers and earth. Medium/full bodied with a silky, lush finish, give this a few years in the cellar and it will be even better.

4,408 Views   Tasted
Fresh, sweet, ripe Blackberries, licorice and chocolate pop from the blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. There is sweetness, plush textures and a mineral-driven finish to top things off.

Fresh, sweet, ripe Blackberries, licorice and chocolate pop from the blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. There is sweetness, plush textures and a mineral-driven finish to top things off.

3,714 Views   Tasted
2014
91
Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, there is a sweetness and softness to the tannins, carrying the fruit and freshness to the endnote. The wine is aging in 50% new, French oak barrels. 90-92 Pts

Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, there is a sweetness and softness to the tannins, carrying the fruit and freshness to the endnote. The wine is aging in 50% new, French oak barrels. 90-92 Pts

2,464 Views   Tasted
2013
88
Cigar box, licorice and black cherry fruits are quickly followed by a soft, medium-bodied finish with sweet red and black plum. From 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.2% ABV. From yields of 17 hectares per hectare, the wine is aging in 40% new French oak. 88-91 Pts

Cigar box, licorice and black cherry fruits are quickly followed by a soft, medium-bodied finish with sweet red and black plum. From 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.2% ABV. From yields of 17 hectares per hectare, the wine is aging in 40% new French oak. 88-91 Pts

3,042 Views   Tasted
2012
91
Showing nicely, with only a few years of age, the licorice, cherry, earth and floral notes are already in plain view. Soft, refined, and with plenty of fruit in the middle, give it another couple of years for more complexity.

Showing nicely, with only a few years of age, the licorice, cherry, earth and floral notes are already in plain view. Soft, refined, and with plenty of fruit in the middle, give it another couple of years for more complexity.

4,048 Views   Tasted
Thyme, earth, and black cherries, already open, with a sweet, fresh, cherry and wild strawberry, dusted with cocoa in the finish.

Thyme, earth, and black cherries, already open, with a sweet, fresh, cherry and wild strawberry, dusted with cocoa in the finish.

3,536 Views   Tasted
From 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 60% new French oak. With licorice, earth, cherries and round textures, this medium-bodied wine has a sweet, red cherry finish. 89-91 Pts

From 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 60% new French oak. With licorice, earth, cherries and round textures, this medium-bodied wine has a sweet, red cherry finish. 89-91 Pts

4,832 Views   Tasted
2011
89
Medium bodied, soft, open and already giving pleasure, the core of spicy cherries, flowers and earthy sensations make this a well-priced treat.

Medium bodied, soft, open and already giving pleasure, the core of spicy cherries, flowers and earthy sensations make this a well-priced treat.

4,411 Views   Tasted
From 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 60% new oak. Black raspberry, cocoa and earthy aromas open to a fresh, black cherry and chocolate, round textured, sweet wine. 90-92 Pts

From 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the wine will be aged in 60% new oak. Black raspberry, cocoa and earthy aromas open to a fresh, black cherry and chocolate, round textured, sweet wine. 90-92 Pts

2,639 Views   Tasted
2010
92
Earthy, licorice, jammy berries and fresh figs open to a plush, silky, fresh, fennel and blackberry filled wine with a lot of freshness at the moment. Give it a few years of bottle age for things to come together and settle down. This could be the best vintage of Clos de l'Oratoire produced yet!

Earthy, licorice, jammy berries and fresh figs open to a plush, silky, fresh, fennel and blackberry filled wine with a lot of freshness at the moment. Give it a few years of bottle age for things to come together and settle down. This could be the best vintage of Clos de l'Oratoire produced yet!

4,621 Views   Tasted
Licorice, stone, floral, earth and fresh blackberry scents work well with the round textures and the long, fresh, fennel and plummy liqueur finish. 91-93Pts

Licorice, stone, floral, earth and fresh blackberry scents work well with the round textures and the long, fresh, fennel and plummy liqueur finish. 91-93Pts

5,422 Views   Tasted
Clos de l’Oratoire. From low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a biodynamic approach, the property produced a wine from a blend of 95% Merlot and Cabernet Franc that will be aged in 75% new oak. Vanilla, fennel, black cherry, fresh herbs, lush textures, silky tannins, sweet licorice covered jammy berries and chocolate. 92-94 Pts

Clos de l’Oratoire. From low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare and a biodynamic approach, the property produced a wine from a blend of 95% Merlot and Cabernet Franc that will be aged in 75% new oak. Vanilla, fennel, black cherry, fresh herbs, lush textures, silky tannins, sweet licorice covered jammy berries and chocolate. 92-94 Pts

5,167 Views   Tasted
2009
92
Deep in color, the perfume is filled with licorice, coffee, blackberry, blueberries and smoke. Round and supple in texture, the wine finishes with sweet, jammy black cherries.

Deep in color, the perfume is filled with licorice, coffee, blackberry, blueberries and smoke. Round and supple in texture, the wine finishes with sweet, jammy black cherries.

7,712 Views   Tasted
2009 Clos L’Oratorie is a blend of 90% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Owner Stephan Neipperg works the vineyards with a biodynamic approach. No herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides allowed. Yields were only 28 hls per ha, in part because of the May hailstorm. Smoke, licorice, coffee, and blackberry scents are coupled with supple textures in the mouth. The wine finishes with dark cherries and blackberry jam. 90-92

2009 Clos L’Oratorie is a blend of 90% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Owner Stephan Neipperg works the vineyards with a biodynamic approach. No herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides allowed. Yields were only 28 hls per ha, in part because of the May hailstorm. Smoke, licorice, coffee, and blackberry scents are coupled with supple textures in the mouth. The wine finishes with dark cherries and blackberry jam. 90-92

7,486 Views   Tasted
2008
91
08 Château Clos L’Oratorie. The crop was severely damaged by the hail storms early in 2008. Since close to 80% of the vines suffered damage, little wine will be produced in 2009. The 08 Clos L’Oratorie starts off with plum, ripe cherry, and earthy notes. Ripe, soft, and elegant in the mouth, the wine finishes with overtones of licorice tinged black fruits. 91-93 Pts

08 Château Clos L’Oratorie. The crop was severely damaged by the hail storms early in 2008. Since close to 80% of the vines suffered damage, little wine will be produced in 2009. The 08 Clos L’Oratorie starts off with plum, ripe cherry, and earthy notes. Ripe, soft, and elegant in the mouth, the wine finishes with overtones of licorice tinged black fruits. 91-93 Pts

3,094 Views   Tasted
2006
90
With a licorice, black cherry jam, earth, espresso bean, plum and spicy personality, this lush, round, sweet, soft wine is starting to open and will only get better with a few more years of bottle age.

With a licorice, black cherry jam, earth, espresso bean, plum and spicy personality, this lush, round, sweet, soft wine is starting to open and will only get better with a few more years of bottle age.

3,102 Views   Tasted
2005
93
Still dark in color, with a fragrant nose filled with licorice, black and blue fruit, chocolate, earth and mocha, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc delivers a suave, sexy, lush sensation on the palate. Give it another 2-4 years before it truly begins to blossom.

Still dark in color, with a fragrant nose filled with licorice, black and blue fruit, chocolate, earth and mocha, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc delivers a suave, sexy, lush sensation on the palate. Give it another 2-4 years before it truly begins to blossom.

7,542 Views   Tasted
2004
90
Truffle, wet earth, plum and licorice are joined by a soft, silky, licorice and black cherry finish.

Truffle, wet earth, plum and licorice are joined by a soft, silky, licorice and black cherry finish.

3,239 Views   Tasted
2003
90
Fully mature, the wine had retained its soft, round, plush character, while adding truffle, flowers, tobacco, earth and leafy notes to the juicy red fruits and licorice. There is no reason to age this any longer. If you have a bottle, check it out, before it fades away.

Fully mature, the wine had retained its soft, round, plush character, while adding truffle, flowers, tobacco, earth and leafy notes to the juicy red fruits and licorice. There is no reason to age this any longer. If you have a bottle, check it out, before it fades away.

2,638 Views   Tasted
2001
90
Drinking great today, with its cherry, black raspberry, fennel, earth and tobacco personality, medium/full body, soft, textures and spicy, plum and cherry finish, this is close to fully mature. While there is no hurry to drink this charming wine, it's probably not going to get much better.

Drinking great today, with its cherry, black raspberry, fennel, earth and tobacco personality, medium/full body, soft, textures and spicy, plum and cherry finish, this is close to fully mature. While there is no hurry to drink this charming wine, it's probably not going to get much better.

2,957 Views   Tasted
2000
92
This is probably at its apogee, with all its soft, round fruits, floral notes, earth and tobacco that shine through. Medium/full bodied, 20 minutes of air added everything you needed here.

This is probably at its apogee, with all its soft, round fruits, floral notes, earth and tobacco that shine through. Medium/full bodied, 20 minutes of air added everything you needed here.

3,254 Views   Tasted
Drinking great today, this is a wine for truffle lovers, especially if they also want loads of ripe, juicy, black plums, wet earth and cherry liqueur, all wrapped up in supple tannins and lush textures.

Drinking great today, this is a wine for truffle lovers, especially if they also want loads of ripe, juicy, black plums, wet earth and cherry liqueur, all wrapped up in supple tannins and lush textures.

3,995 Views   Tasted
Fully mature, round, soft and focused on more red fruits than black, with an earthy, smoky accent, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon is probably at absolute peak. There is no reason to hold this wine any longer.

Fully mature, round, soft and focused on more red fruits than black, with an earthy, smoky accent, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon is probably at absolute peak. There is no reason to hold this wine any longer.

4,954 Views   Tasted
Black licorice, espresso, blackberry, jam, kirsch, truffle and spice aromas open up this supple St. Emilion wine. On the palate, the St. Emilion wine feels round, soft and supple, ending in layers of spicy black cherries and licorice. At 11, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking well. In a few more years, it's going to be even better.

Black licorice, espresso, blackberry, jam, kirsch, truffle and spice aromas open up this supple St. Emilion wine. On the palate, the St. Emilion wine feels round, soft and supple, ending in layers of spicy black cherries and licorice. At 11, this blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking well. In a few more years, it's going to be even better.

5,872 Views   Tasted
1999
88
Past full maturity, but not over the hill, the wine is more interesting on the floral, earthy, herbal, espresso and red berry nose, than on the medium-bodied, soft-textured, fresh, bright, herb tinged palate. There is still a lot to like here, but it is time to drink up, before the wine continues to fade and drop fruit.

Past full maturity, but not over the hill, the wine is more interesting on the floral, earthy, herbal, espresso and red berry nose, than on the medium-bodied, soft-textured, fresh, bright, herb tinged palate. There is still a lot to like here, but it is time to drink up, before the wine continues to fade and drop fruit.

4,086 Views   Tasted
1998
90
Ripe, licorice accented black fruit aromatics. Good concentration. But the wine seems simple compared to its peers from the same vintage. While obviously well made, at 10 years of age it has not developed enough complexities to keep me involved in the glass, wanting another sip. While good, it lacks excitement.

Ripe, licorice accented black fruit aromatics. Good concentration. But the wine seems simple compared to its peers from the same vintage. While obviously well made, at 10 years of age it has not developed enough complexities to keep me involved in the glass, wanting another sip. While good, it lacks excitement.

4,846 Views   Tasted