Clos St. Martin St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Sophie Fourcade  Red

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

Clos St. Martin History, Overview

Clos Saint Martin dates back to at least the early 1800s. The vineyard has been owned by the Rieffers family since 1850. However, the Rieffers family has been active in St. Emilion even longer, as they date back to the 1600s.

Clos Saint Martin takes its name from St. Martin, who is the Patron Saint for winegrowers, soldiers, and beggars. Clos Saint Martin was managed by Sophie Fourcade for the Rieffers family for years.

Sophie Fourcade gave up her promising career as a successful attorney to make Bordeaux wine at the family’s three properties in St. Emilion. Sophie Fourcade is also in charge of two other Saint Emilion estates, Chateau Les Grandes Murailles and Chateau Cote de Baleau.

That changed in March 2013, when the Cuvelier family, the owners of Chateau Clos Fourtet, headed by Matthieu Cuvelier, purchased the property.

Fortunately for fans of Clos Saint Martin, just before the 2013 harvest, Sophie Fourcade purchased a portion of the vineyard back from the Cuvelier family and entered into a partnership to manage the estate. Michel Rolland will continue to consult the wine-making for the chateau.

Character and style of Clos St. Martin

The style of Clos Saint Martin is a wine for pleasure seekers. The wine is sensuous, offering round, opulent, soft, velvet textures, coupled with plums, dark berries, licorice, and minerality. Vintages prior to 2000 are not produced with the same sexy character you find today.

Clos St. Martin Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The petit 1.33-hectare vineyard of Clos St. Martin is planted to 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a vineyard this small, as you might expect, the vines are planted in one single parcel.

The terroir is a mix of clay and limestone soils on the peak of the limestone plateau with a southwesterly exposure. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 7,000 vines per hectare. The property is located near the St. Martin Church and not far from the famous, wall of Saint Emilion.

Clos St. Martin is in a great location with neighbors like Chateau Canon, Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot, and Chateau Beausejour Duffau. Clos St. Martin with its 1.33-hectare vineyard is the smallest classified Bordeaux wine in the Saint Emilion appellation. In fact, this single parcel of vines is also the smallest classified Bordeaux wine I know of. But good things come in small packages.

To produce the wine of Clos St. Martin, it takes a lot of work starting with an eight-day pre-fermentation, cold maceration at 8 degrees Celsius.

The wine is vinified using micro-vinification techniques, meaning that the wine is vinified entirely in 100% new, French oak barrels. This micro vinification technique, according to Sophie Fourcade, adds additional freshness with a softer texture and feel to this unique wine.

Clos St. Martin has been aged in 100% new, French oak barrels since the 2008 vintage. However, starting with the 2016 vintage, a portion of Clos St. Martin is being aged in clay, amphora jars. The first 4 months of the aging process are spent with the wine aging on its lees. The wine is aged for an average of 20 months before bottling.

Most vintages produce about 500 cases per year of Clos St. Martin. Sadly, for fans of the wine, portions of the vineyards are currently being replanted, so the production is even smaller and more difficult to find than usual for Clos St. Martin.

The best vintages of Clos St. Martin are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2001 and 2000. I am not as fond of the wine in pre-2000 vintages. 2005 Clos St. Martin remains the finest wine this estate has ever produced. But in time, 2009, 2010, and 2015 could give it a run for the money. While the wines can be difficult to find, it’s worth the effort to locate at least a few bottles.

When to Drink Clos St. Martin, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Clos St. Martin needs 4-6 years in the cellar before starting to show its best. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Clos St. Martin is best enjoyed in the first 5-20 years of life.

Young vintages can be decanted for about 90 minutes, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Clos St. Martin with Wine and Food Pairings

Clos St. Martin is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Clos St. Martin is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Clos St. Martin is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like rare tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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Château Clos St. Martin Wine Tasting Notes

27 Vintages 189,677 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
96
Flowers, black cherries, licorice, smoke, spice, espresso, cinnamon, and plums open the attention-seeking perfume. On the palate, the wine is sensuous, silky, long, and polished. The array of perfectly ripe, black, red, and blue fruits, with their chocolate edge lingers as the berries caress your palate from start to finish. Drink from 2025-2042. 95-97 Pts.

Flowers, black cherries, licorice, smoke, spice, espresso, cinnamon, and plums open the attention-seeking perfume. On the palate, the wine is sensuous, silky, long, and polished. The array of perfectly ripe, black, red, and blue fruits, with their chocolate edge lingers as the berries caress your palate from start to finish. Drink from 2025-2042. 95-97 Pts.

2,452 Views   Tasted
2021
94
Smoked cherries, espresso, licorice, flowers and plums open the aromatic essence here. On the palate, the wine is soft, polished, supple, creamy and fresh, with a mint, espresso and chocolate-topped, plummy finish. Drink from 2024-2040.

Smoked cherries, espresso, licorice, flowers and plums open the aromatic essence here. On the palate, the wine is soft, polished, supple, creamy and fresh, with a mint, espresso and chocolate-topped, plummy finish. Drink from 2024-2040.

195 Views   Tasted
Licorice, plums, chocolate, strawberry, espresso, smoke and black cherry form the core of the perfume. Soft, silky, fresh and vibrant, the wine is medium-bodied with a nice freshness to the elegant and supple-textured fruits in the finish. Drink from 2023-2038. 92-94

Licorice, plums, chocolate, strawberry, espresso, smoke and black cherry form the core of the perfume. Soft, silky, fresh and vibrant, the wine is medium-bodied with a nice freshness to the elegant and supple-textured fruits in the finish. Drink from 2023-2038. 92-94

1,149 Views   Tasted
2020
97
Texturally, this is one of the sexiest wines in all of Bordeaux. The levels of opulence, sensuality and silk are almost off the hook, and they make the perfect backdrop for the layers of blackberries, black plums, licorice, chocolate, black cherries, espresso and spice. Long, rich, balanced, fresh and hedonistic, this is going to offer pleasure for the following 2 decades. Drink from 2024-2047.

Texturally, this is one of the sexiest wines in all of Bordeaux. The levels of opulence, sensuality and silk are almost off the hook, and they make the perfect backdrop for the layers of blackberries, black plums, licorice, chocolate, black cherries, espresso and spice. Long, rich, balanced, fresh and hedonistic, this is going to offer pleasure for the following 2 decades. Drink from 2024-2047.

968 Views   Tasted
Opulent, silky and rich, this is pure bottled hedonism. Flamboyant, showy plums, cherries, smoke, licorice, spice, oak and earthy nuances seek your attention. Rich, lush and opulent on the palate, the wine finishes with layers of perfectly ripe, sensuous fruits. Give it 7 years or so for the oak to fully integrate and enjoy over it the following 2 decades. 96-98 Pts

Opulent, silky and rich, this is pure bottled hedonism. Flamboyant, showy plums, cherries, smoke, licorice, spice, oak and earthy nuances seek your attention. Rich, lush and opulent on the palate, the wine finishes with layers of perfectly ripe, sensuous fruits. Give it 7 years or so for the oak to fully integrate and enjoy over it the following 2 decades. 96-98 Pts

2,102 Views   Tasted
2019
95
Layers of elegantly-textured, silky fruits with equal amounts of freshness and polished opulence are what you will discover here. The waves of cherries and plums along with espresso, cocoa, smoke, licorice flowers and chocolate are perfect for the velvety tannins in the creamy endnote. Give it a few years to develop and it will be an even better experience. Drink from 2024-2047.

Layers of elegantly-textured, silky fruits with equal amounts of freshness and polished opulence are what you will discover here. The waves of cherries and plums along with espresso, cocoa, smoke, licorice flowers and chocolate are perfect for the velvety tannins in the creamy endnote. Give it a few years to develop and it will be an even better experience. Drink from 2024-2047.

1,194 Views   Tasted
Polished, silky fruits, velvet-textured tannins, and a wave of ripe, sweet black cherries, licorice, herbs and espresso are what you will find here before working your way to the fruit-filled, creamy finish. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 94-96 Pts

Polished, silky fruits, velvet-textured tannins, and a wave of ripe, sweet black cherries, licorice, herbs and espresso are what you will find here before working your way to the fruit-filled, creamy finish. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 94-96 Pts

3,581 Views   Tasted
2018
97
Sexy, silky, velvety textured ripe, sweet fruits coat your palate. The balance between the weight, depth, layers of voluptuously textured fruits is dead on. Rich, opulent and sensuous, this decadent offering from the plateau of Saint Emilion is going to offer pleasure for at least two decades and probably longer.

Sexy, silky, velvety textured ripe, sweet fruits coat your palate. The balance between the weight, depth, layers of voluptuously textured fruits is dead on. Rich, opulent and sensuous, this decadent offering from the plateau of Saint Emilion is going to offer pleasure for at least two decades and probably longer.

2,863 Views   Tasted
Velvet textured red berries, smoke, spice, licorice, wet earth, and stone are all over the place. The wine is opulent, concentrated and polished. The berries are ripe, sweet, fresh and silky. This decadent offering from the plateau of Saint Emilion is going to offer pleasure for at least two decades and probably longer. 96-98 Pts

Velvet textured red berries, smoke, spice, licorice, wet earth, and stone are all over the place. The wine is opulent, concentrated and polished. The berries are ripe, sweet, fresh and silky. This decadent offering from the plateau of Saint Emilion is going to offer pleasure for at least two decades and probably longer. 96-98 Pts

2,558 Views   Tasted
2017
93
Black cherries, licorice, espresso and fudge are the first thing you'll notice. From there, you'll quickly move to the creamy, silky textures, lush, polished tannins and the decadently ripe, dark fruits and espresso-filled finish.

Black cherries, licorice, espresso and fudge are the first thing you'll notice. From there, you'll quickly move to the creamy, silky textures, lush, polished tannins and the decadently ripe, dark fruits and espresso-filled finish.

1,856 Views   Tasted
2016
95
Cherry liqueur, kirsch, black raspberry, flowers, espresso and licorice create the perfume, while on the palate, you'll find silky, sensuously textured black cherries and velvet tannins. This is a very hedonistic treat – hypnotic in a way. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cherry liqueur, kirsch, black raspberry, flowers, espresso and licorice create the perfume, while on the palate, you'll find silky, sensuously textured black cherries and velvet tannins. This is a very hedonistic treat – hypnotic in a way. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

2,584 Views   Tasted
2015
95
Another superb, and consistent showing of this beauty. The wine is packed with all the lusciously textured, sweet, ripe, opulent, black, and dark red berries with accents of smoke, espresso, licorice, and truffle you could want in a wine. Drink from 2023-2040.

Another superb, and consistent showing of this beauty. The wine is packed with all the lusciously textured, sweet, ripe, opulent, black, and dark red berries with accents of smoke, espresso, licorice, and truffle you could want in a wine. Drink from 2023-2040.

1,226 Views   Tasted
Bottled sensuality, the wine is silk and velvet with layers of velvety, dark red fruits that fill your palate. The wine is in balance. It is never heavy, offering complexity with decadence.

Bottled sensuality, the wine is silk and velvet with layers of velvety, dark red fruits that fill your palate. The wine is in balance. It is never heavy, offering complexity with decadence.

3,255 Views   Tasted
90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc produced a wine with sensuous, opulent, silky textures, dense, dark, ripe, sweet fruits and a long, round finish. Like a first date you end up taking home to meet Mama.

90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc produced a wine with sensuous, opulent, silky textures, dense, dark, ripe, sweet fruits and a long, round finish. Like a first date you end up taking home to meet Mama.

3,104 Views   Tasted
2014
92
This is ready to go, as you can already sense the secondary notes of tobacco, truffle, smoke, earth, fennel and plum. Medium bodied, with sweet, ripe, cherries and black plums, the wine is silky and polished. This is not going to make old bones, but this is will be charmer to taste for first 10-15 years of life.

This is ready to go, as you can already sense the secondary notes of tobacco, truffle, smoke, earth, fennel and plum. Medium bodied, with sweet, ripe, cherries and black plums, the wine is silky and polished. This is not going to make old bones, but this is will be charmer to taste for first 10-15 years of life.

2,064 Views   Tasted
Silky, pure, sweet and fresh, with a licorice, cocoa, dark chocolate-covered red and black cherry charm, this wine ends with a supple, elegant, finish. 91-93 Pts

Silky, pure, sweet and fresh, with a licorice, cocoa, dark chocolate-covered red and black cherry charm, this wine ends with a supple, elegant, finish. 91-93 Pts

2,523 Views   Tasted
2013
90
Soft, polished and plush with plums, cherries, licorice and espresso bean in the nose, this round, forward, medium-bodied wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine reached 13.5% ABV, with pH of 3.8. The yields were 28 hectoliters per hectare. This is all about finesse on the palate. 89-91 Pts

Soft, polished and plush with plums, cherries, licorice and espresso bean in the nose, this round, forward, medium-bodied wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine reached 13.5% ABV, with pH of 3.8. The yields were 28 hectoliters per hectare. This is all about finesse on the palate. 89-91 Pts

1,967 Views   Tasted
2012
92
Blending 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14% ABV, with a pH of 3.76. Coffee bean, licorice and jammy cherries open to a silky, sensuous, lush, black cherry filled, spicy wine. The final vintage made by Sophie Fourcade. 91-93 Pts

Blending 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14% ABV, with a pH of 3.76. Coffee bean, licorice and jammy cherries open to a silky, sensuous, lush, black cherry filled, spicy wine. The final vintage made by Sophie Fourcade. 91-93 Pts

2,806 Views   Tasted
2011
92
The production is always tiny, but with the combination of only 20% of the vineyard being replanted and a difficult vintage, less than 500 cases will be made of the 2011. From 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is aged in 100% new oak. Coffee, floral, black plum, earth and smoky barbecue aromas open to a supple-textured, round, sweet, black cherry-filled wine. 91-93 Pts

The production is always tiny, but with the combination of only 20% of the vineyard being replanted and a difficult vintage, less than 500 cases will be made of the 2011. From 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is aged in 100% new oak. Coffee, floral, black plum, earth and smoky barbecue aromas open to a supple-textured, round, sweet, black cherry-filled wine. 91-93 Pts

2,977 Views   Tasted
2010
94
2010 Clos St. Martin, the smallest classified wine in the Bordeaux appellation comes from a 1.33-hectare vineyard. Planted to 7,000 vines/ha, with an average age of 31 years. The terroir is planted on clay and limestone soils over the limestone plateau. Smoke, mineral, licorice, oak, and jammy berry scents open to a supple, ripe, silky textured concentrated wine ends with a long fresh, black cherry, spice and licorice finish. 94-95 Pts

2010 Clos St. Martin, the smallest classified wine in the Bordeaux appellation comes from a 1.33-hectare vineyard. Planted to 7,000 vines/ha, with an average age of 31 years. The terroir is planted on clay and limestone soils over the limestone plateau. Smoke, mineral, licorice, oak, and jammy berry scents open to a supple, ripe, silky textured concentrated wine ends with a long fresh, black cherry, spice and licorice finish. 94-95 Pts

6,914 Views   Tasted
2009
96
2009 is the perfect vintage for Clos Saint Martin. It exacerbated the wines sensuous character. In contention for one of the most hedonistic wines in Bordeaux, this is opulence at its best. Rich, deep, full and long, the wealth of chocolate coated pit fruits, crushed rocks, purity and sexiness is impossible to miss. This is drinking stellar today. Drink from 2023-2039.

2009 is the perfect vintage for Clos Saint Martin. It exacerbated the wines sensuous character. In contention for one of the most hedonistic wines in Bordeaux, this is opulence at its best. Rich, deep, full and long, the wealth of chocolate coated pit fruits, crushed rocks, purity and sexiness is impossible to miss. This is drinking stellar today. Drink from 2023-2039.

2,219 Views   Tasted
This sexy treat is all about hedonism. Silky, opulent and sensuous, the wine feels just great on your palate. The layers of flamboyant plums, cherry, earth, licorice and cocoa offer an unequaled, palate feel. This is just starting to hit its stride. I am sure it will easily be there for you for at least another 12-15 years of pleasure.

This sexy treat is all about hedonism. Silky, opulent and sensuous, the wine feels just great on your palate. The layers of flamboyant plums, cherry, earth, licorice and cocoa offer an unequaled, palate feel. This is just starting to hit its stride. I am sure it will easily be there for you for at least another 12-15 years of pleasure.

2,351 Views   Tasted
This is one sexy little beast. Pure silk and velvet textures, with ripe, plush, sweet fruits, earth, truffle, licorice and a hint of espresso. The wine is all about pleasure from start to finish. I usually prefer drinking Clos St. Martin within about 15 years of the vintage.

This is one sexy little beast. Pure silk and velvet textures, with ripe, plush, sweet fruits, earth, truffle, licorice and a hint of espresso. The wine is all about pleasure from start to finish. I usually prefer drinking Clos St. Martin within about 15 years of the vintage.

4,102 Views   Tasted
Sporting a deep ruby hue, truffle, smoke, black cherry liqueur, plum and vanilla scents lead the way to silk and velvet drenched, opulent, polished wine. Lush and sweet, there is a lot of purity found in the sweet, plush, long, sensuous finish.

Sporting a deep ruby hue, truffle, smoke, black cherry liqueur, plum and vanilla scents lead the way to silk and velvet drenched, opulent, polished wine. Lush and sweet, there is a lot of purity found in the sweet, plush, long, sensuous finish.

5,668 Views   Tasted
2009 Clos St. Martin is the smallest classified wine in the Bordeaux appellation. It comes from a 1.33 hectare vineyard planted 7,000 vines/ha on clay and limestone soils. The vines have an average age of 31 years. The wine is filled with spicy dark fruit, anise, stone, plum, and espresso scents. This richly textured, sultry wine was produced from 75% merlot, 15% cabernet franc, and 10% cabernet sauvignon. The wine ends with black cherries infused with anise. 92-95 Pts

2009 Clos St. Martin is the smallest classified wine in the Bordeaux appellation. It comes from a 1.33 hectare vineyard planted 7,000 vines/ha on clay and limestone soils. The vines have an average age of 31 years. The wine is filled with spicy dark fruit, anise, stone, plum, and espresso scents. This richly textured, sultry wine was produced from 75% merlot, 15% cabernet franc, and 10% cabernet sauvignon. The wine ends with black cherries infused with anise. 92-95 Pts

3,875 Views   Tasted
2008
94
2008 Clos St. Martin opens with an enticing perfume of dark berries, mint, minerality, licorice, cherry blossoms and sweet oak. The texture feels like polished silk and velvet. This sensual wine ends with a long sensation of fresh, ripe blackberries. Only 480 cases were produced. 94 Pts

2008 Clos St. Martin opens with an enticing perfume of dark berries, mint, minerality, licorice, cherry blossoms and sweet oak. The texture feels like polished silk and velvet. This sensual wine ends with a long sensation of fresh, ripe blackberries. Only 480 cases were produced. 94 Pts

3,444 Views   Tasted
08 Château Clos St. Martin. This château, situated close to Angelus, Beau-Sejour Becot, and Beausejour Duffau, provides a hit in 2008. With clay and limestone soil and a southwest exposure, the château never produces more than 600 cases in any vintage. In 08 it produced only 460 cases. Starting with 2008, the wine will be fermented in new oak, then placed back in the same barrel to add additional freshness and a softer feel to the fruit. The wine, with its dark ruby and purple hue, has a complex perfume of minerals, black fruit, raspberry, forest, and oak. In the mouth, good structure and ample concentration of ripe fruit. The wine finishes with a blast of blackberry liquor and kirsch. 93-96 Pts

08 Château Clos St. Martin. This château, situated close to Angelus, Beau-Sejour Becot, and Beausejour Duffau, provides a hit in 2008. With clay and limestone soil and a southwest exposure, the château never produces more than 600 cases in any vintage. In 08 it produced only 460 cases. Starting with 2008, the wine will be fermented in new oak, then placed back in the same barrel to add additional freshness and a softer feel to the fruit. The wine, with its dark ruby and purple hue, has a complex perfume of minerals, black fruit, raspberry, forest, and oak. In the mouth, good structure and ample concentration of ripe fruit. The wine finishes with a blast of blackberry liquor and kirsch. 93-96 Pts

3,154 Views   Tasted
2006
88
Dominated by red fruit, earth, spice and black raspberries, this medium bodied, lighter styled wine is rapidly maturing and should be enjoyed sooner than later.

Dominated by red fruit, earth, spice and black raspberries, this medium bodied, lighter styled wine is rapidly maturing and should be enjoyed sooner than later.

3,462 Views   Tasted
2005
95
Lush, rich, opulent, and showy, the wine is loaded with dark chocolate-covered cherries and sweet, juicy dark plums, licorice, and smoke from start to finish. No need to wait here, this is ready to go! Drink from 2022-2032.

Lush, rich, opulent, and showy, the wine is loaded with dark chocolate-covered cherries and sweet, juicy dark plums, licorice, and smoke from start to finish. No need to wait here, this is ready to go! Drink from 2022-2032.

2,688 Views   Tasted
This feels close to fully mature. The wine is silky, lush and rich. Full-bodied, with layers of black plums, dark cherries, licorice, chocolate and wet earth on the palate, those sensations carry though the sensuously textured finish. If you are sitting on any, this is a good time to start popping the cork.

This feels close to fully mature. The wine is silky, lush and rich. Full-bodied, with layers of black plums, dark cherries, licorice, chocolate and wet earth on the palate, those sensations carry though the sensuously textured finish. If you are sitting on any, this is a good time to start popping the cork.

2,686 Views   Tasted
Made for hedonists, this is a sensuous, textural experience. Opulent, velvet-textured plums, black cherries, smoke, licorice, flowers and truffle from start to finish. The wine is full, rich, deep, luscious and polished and it improves in the glass. you can enjoy this now and for at least another 12 years or so.

Made for hedonists, this is a sensuous, textural experience. Opulent, velvet-textured plums, black cherries, smoke, licorice, flowers and truffle from start to finish. The wine is full, rich, deep, luscious and polished and it improves in the glass. you can enjoy this now and for at least another 12 years or so.

4,244 Views   Tasted
Round, opulent, fat and juicy, the sweet, ripe black cherries are coated with licorice, dark cocoa, smoke and chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated and richly textured, this hedonistically styled wine hits that spot in all the right ways. Youthful, but just starting to be a good place today, give it an hour in the decanter and it is ready to go.

Round, opulent, fat and juicy, the sweet, ripe black cherries are coated with licorice, dark cocoa, smoke and chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated and richly textured, this hedonistically styled wine hits that spot in all the right ways. Youthful, but just starting to be a good place today, give it an hour in the decanter and it is ready to go.

4,712 Views   Tasted
It's going to hard to find a sexier wine than this. The texture is incredibly sensual, the ripe, fruit offers sweetness, freshness and purity, and the truffle, black cherry and earthy nose is right where it needs to be. There is some room for improvement, but this is such a treat today, if you have more than a few bottles, pop one of the corks.

It's going to hard to find a sexier wine than this. The texture is incredibly sensual, the ripe, fruit offers sweetness, freshness and purity, and the truffle, black cherry and earthy nose is right where it needs to be. There is some room for improvement, but this is such a treat today, if you have more than a few bottles, pop one of the corks.

5,188 Views   Tasted
What a beauty this is. With only 20 minutes of air, flowers, chocolate covered raspberries, truffle, smoke and licorice scents pop from the glass. If you like that, the sensuous, lush textures should seal the deal! At 10, this is the right time to be drinking this pleasure machine. It's not a wine to age, hoping it will make old bones. Because it won't. I'm going to finish my remaining bottles before this is 18-20 years of age. Fortunately, it's so much fun to drink, I cannot wait to pop another cork.

What a beauty this is. With only 20 minutes of air, flowers, chocolate covered raspberries, truffle, smoke and licorice scents pop from the glass. If you like that, the sensuous, lush textures should seal the deal! At 10, this is the right time to be drinking this pleasure machine. It's not a wine to age, hoping it will make old bones. Because it won't. I'm going to finish my remaining bottles before this is 18-20 years of age. Fortunately, it's so much fun to drink, I cannot wait to pop another cork.

5,297 Views   Tasted
No need to wait any longer for this beauty. If you like opulent textures, a nose with smoke, licorice, black cherry, licorice and wet earth, and a luscious, soft finish, you came to the right place. I've found that this wine shows best between 10-15-20 years of age. It's a wine for pleasure seekers. However, it's not a wine to hold for decades.

No need to wait any longer for this beauty. If you like opulent textures, a nose with smoke, licorice, black cherry, licorice and wet earth, and a luscious, soft finish, you came to the right place. I've found that this wine shows best between 10-15-20 years of age. It's a wine for pleasure seekers. However, it's not a wine to hold for decades.

5,489 Views   Tasted
This wine has it all. Incredible concentration of ripe dark, fruit, a perfume that knocks you out and an incredible, plush, velvety, mouth feel that reaches into every nook and cranny of your palate. This special Bordeaux wine defines decadence. The dark chocolate covered blackberry, licorice tinged finish was further complicated with a hint of blueberry and seems to go on for over sixty seconds!

This wine has it all. Incredible concentration of ripe dark, fruit, a perfume that knocks you out and an incredible, plush, velvety, mouth feel that reaches into every nook and cranny of your palate. This special Bordeaux wine defines decadence. The dark chocolate covered blackberry, licorice tinged finish was further complicated with a hint of blueberry and seems to go on for over sixty seconds!

5,506 Views   Tasted
Deep, opaque in color. A haunting perfume and an incredible, lush, mouthfilling sensation packed with so much glycerin, this Bordeaux wine over takes your senses. If you're into texture, this wine will blow you away! The melange of black, red and plum flavors are further complicated with a hint of blue fruit that creeps in. After being open for a few hours, the wine gained in structure. The tannins are extremely fine. I would have scored this higher, but, there was another wine I liked even more. Only 600 cases of this sublime wine were produced. If this intellectual sex bomb of a wine sounds like your cup of tea, but it sooner than later as it is only going to become harder to find and more expensive.

Deep, opaque in color. A haunting perfume and an incredible, lush, mouthfilling sensation packed with so much glycerin, this Bordeaux wine over takes your senses. If you're into texture, this wine will blow you away! The melange of black, red and plum flavors are further complicated with a hint of blue fruit that creeps in. After being open for a few hours, the wine gained in structure. The tannins are extremely fine. I would have scored this higher, but, there was another wine I liked even more. Only 600 cases of this sublime wine were produced. If this intellectual sex bomb of a wine sounds like your cup of tea, but it sooner than later as it is only going to become harder to find and more expensive.

4,755 Views   Tasted
2004
91
Soft, silky, elegant and lush, the sweet plums, smoke, licorice and black cherries shine though in this medium bodied, velvet textured, ready to drink wine.

Soft, silky, elegant and lush, the sweet plums, smoke, licorice and black cherries shine though in this medium bodied, velvet textured, ready to drink wine.

2,967 Views   Tasted
Complex, spicy ripe fruit and anise aromatics pairs perfectly with a rich, silky entry and the long, fresh, ripe, opulent plummy finish.

Complex, spicy ripe fruit and anise aromatics pairs perfectly with a rich, silky entry and the long, fresh, ripe, opulent plummy finish.

2,492 Views   Tasted
2003
87
Medium bodied and already fully mature, this light style of wine needs to be drunk up.

Medium bodied and already fully mature, this light style of wine needs to be drunk up.

3,833 Views   Tasted
2002
88
Light in the nose, this medium bodied wine offers some ripe dark fruit with a slightly drying finish.

Light in the nose, this medium bodied wine offers some ripe dark fruit with a slightly drying finish.

1,879 Views   Tasted
2001
92
Smoke, caramel, truffle, black cherry, fresh herbs, chocolate and earthy aromas open to a fully mature St. Emilon. Soft,supple, round and lush, with no hard edges, the finish is pure, sweet cherries with hints of chocolate, mocha and minerality. This was tasted with about 10 minutes of air. A long decanting will not help this wine. While I doubt the wine is going to develop additional complexities from this point forward, there is no hurry to drink it. I'd look to drink it over the next 5-8 years.

Smoke, caramel, truffle, black cherry, fresh herbs, chocolate and earthy aromas open to a fully mature St. Emilon. Soft,supple, round and lush, with no hard edges, the finish is pure, sweet cherries with hints of chocolate, mocha and minerality. This was tasted with about 10 minutes of air. A long decanting will not help this wine. While I doubt the wine is going to develop additional complexities from this point forward, there is no hurry to drink it. I'd look to drink it over the next 5-8 years.

4,516 Views   Tasted
Fennel, juicy plums, mushroom, chocolate and blackberry aromas meshed perfectly with the soft, plush, round textures and the sexy, chocolate covered blackberry finish. This is close to mature and should be consumed before by the time the wine hits 20. While a very successful and delicious Bordeaux wine, I am not sure it's going to make old bones.

Fennel, juicy plums, mushroom, chocolate and blackberry aromas meshed perfectly with the soft, plush, round textures and the sexy, chocolate covered blackberry finish. This is close to mature and should be consumed before by the time the wine hits 20. While a very successful and delicious Bordeaux wine, I am not sure it's going to make old bones.

3,237 Views   Tasted
Licorice, chocolate, black raspberry jam, plum, coffee and hints of vanilla scents make up the perfume. The wine offers plush, sexy, edible textures that and a blast of licorice covered black and red fruits in the finish

Licorice, chocolate, black raspberry jam, plum, coffee and hints of vanilla scents make up the perfume. The wine offers plush, sexy, edible textures that and a blast of licorice covered black and red fruits in the finish

3,341 Views   Tasted
In quality, tis not that far from the stellar 2000! The exotic perfume pops from the glass with earthy, spicy, soy and back fruit aromas. Lush and concentrated on the palate. The wine finishes with a blast of fresh, ripe dark fruit and opulent textures.

In quality, tis not that far from the stellar 2000! The exotic perfume pops from the glass with earthy, spicy, soy and back fruit aromas. Lush and concentrated on the palate. The wine finishes with a blast of fresh, ripe dark fruit and opulent textures.

3,242 Views   Tasted
2000
93
Fully mature, medium/full-bodied with an earthy plum, espresso, smoke, licorice, and dark cocoa-packed perfume, the wine continues to rock the palate with its plus, silky, sensuous textures and earth, imbued fruit on the palate and in the finish. This is clearly fully mature, no decanting, pop, pour and enjoy.

Fully mature, medium/full-bodied with an earthy plum, espresso, smoke, licorice, and dark cocoa-packed perfume, the wine continues to rock the palate with its plus, silky, sensuous textures and earth, imbued fruit on the palate and in the finish. This is clearly fully mature, no decanting, pop, pour and enjoy.

3,394 Views   Tasted
Medium/full bodied, sensuous, silky and fresh, with loads of ripe, juicy, cherries and earth. No need for further aging here. The finish has a hint of dusty tannins in the endnote.

Medium/full bodied, sensuous, silky and fresh, with loads of ripe, juicy, cherries and earth. No need for further aging here. The finish has a hint of dusty tannins in the endnote.

3,857 Views   Tasted
Fully mature, silky, soft and polished in texture, the wine offers freshness, earth, floral and ripe plum notes that please all the senses from start to finish. If you have a bottle, pop a cork, as there is no reason to wait. This was simply popped and poured, which seemed like the right way to go.

Fully mature, silky, soft and polished in texture, the wine offers freshness, earth, floral and ripe plum notes that please all the senses from start to finish. If you have a bottle, pop a cork, as there is no reason to wait. This was simply popped and poured, which seemed like the right way to go.

3,420 Views   Tasted
The second bottle of this in just as many weeks. Both bottles are not as good as this wine was about 2 years ago. The aromas remain interesting with its earthy, licorice, black plum and vanilla notes. The textsure is still supple, but the fruit seems to be starting to gently fade away. I'll try drinking my remaining bottles over the next 4-6 years.

The second bottle of this in just as many weeks. Both bottles are not as good as this wine was about 2 years ago. The aromas remain interesting with its earthy, licorice, black plum and vanilla notes. The textsure is still supple, but the fruit seems to be starting to gently fade away. I'll try drinking my remaining bottles over the next 4-6 years.

3,789 Views   Tasted
If you're seeking sex, silk and velvet, look no further. This supple, hedonistic wine is packed with vanilla, licorice, black cherry liqueur and truffles. Rich, concentrated and without a single hard edge, while this St. Emilion will improve, there is no reason to delay experiencing its ample charms.

If you're seeking sex, silk and velvet, look no further. This supple, hedonistic wine is packed with vanilla, licorice, black cherry liqueur and truffles. Rich, concentrated and without a single hard edge, while this St. Emilion will improve, there is no reason to delay experiencing its ample charms.

4,533 Views   Tasted
Silk, elegance and ripe fruit are the hallmarks of this Bordeaux wine. Dark berries, minerality and juicy plums are made better by the opulent, velvet laden textures that coat your palate.

Silk, elegance and ripe fruit are the hallmarks of this Bordeaux wine. Dark berries, minerality and juicy plums are made better by the opulent, velvet laden textures that coat your palate.

4,774 Views   Tasted
With a perfume that takes over your senses. You are blasted with blackberry, truffle, oak and creamy raspberry aromatics. Opulent and rich on the palate. Concentrated and full bodied with an intense, silky mouth feel that is out of this world. The sexy licorice covered, black fruit finish is a treat.

With a perfume that takes over your senses. You are blasted with blackberry, truffle, oak and creamy raspberry aromatics. Opulent and rich on the palate. Concentrated and full bodied with an intense, silky mouth feel that is out of this world. The sexy licorice covered, black fruit finish is a treat.

4,271 Views   Tasted
Dark berry, licorice and spicy aromatics with hints of coco. Great structure. Lots of concentration, balanced, lush and opulently textured. This sublime wine finishes with a blast of soft, round, silky, ripe plums and berries.

Dark berry, licorice and spicy aromatics with hints of coco. Great structure. Lots of concentration, balanced, lush and opulently textured. This sublime wine finishes with a blast of soft, round, silky, ripe plums and berries.

4,122 Views   Tasted
1999
88
Fully evolved with aromas of herbs and fresh red fruit, there was some dryness in the finish. I would drink this sooner than later

Fully evolved with aromas of herbs and fresh red fruit, there was some dryness in the finish. I would drink this sooner than later

1,285 Views   Tasted
1998
89
Although complex aromatically, this lighter bodied and styled wine does not follow through on the palate. The finish, while pleasant, is short. Since the wine is ready to drink today, there is no reason to wait for further evolution.

Although complex aromatically, this lighter bodied and styled wine does not follow through on the palate. The finish, while pleasant, is short. Since the wine is ready to drink today, there is no reason to wait for further evolution.

3,207 Views   Tasted
Opening with complex mineral, spice box and black fruit aromatics. The wine had a plush entry, but lacked the depth and concentration of morerecent vintages. With 98, you see a huge jump in style and quality. This was the first year Sophie Foucarde began turning things around for the property. Drink this wine on the young side.

Opening with complex mineral, spice box and black fruit aromatics. The wine had a plush entry, but lacked the depth and concentration of morerecent vintages. With 98, you see a huge jump in style and quality. This was the first year Sophie Foucarde began turning things around for the property. Drink this wine on the young side.

2,756 Views   Tasted
This kicked off with a powerful nose. But that's where it left off. Medium bodied and light on the palate without much follow through. Ready to drink today.

This kicked off with a powerful nose. But that's where it left off. Medium bodied and light on the palate without much follow through. Ready to drink today.

1,569 Views   Tasted
1996
85
Light in color, medium bodied and showing some hint of underripeness in the finish.

Light in color, medium bodied and showing some hint of underripeness in the finish.

2,002 Views   Tasted
1990
84
Light ruby with bricking in the color. The nose of strawberry and spice accompanied this fully mature wine which finished with hints of dark fruit. Drink up.

Light ruby with bricking in the color. The nose of strawberry and spice accompanied this fully mature wine which finished with hints of dark fruit. Drink up.

2,141 Views   Tasted
1964
83
After opening and tasting the wine, Sophie said, "this was not a perfect bottle." The wine was light and sadly had moved past its prime. But, so what? I was tasting a 44 year old bottle of Clos St. Martin with the owner. Life does not get better.

After opening and tasting the wine, Sophie said, "this was not a perfect bottle." The wine was light and sadly had moved past its prime. But, so what? I was tasting a 44 year old bottle of Clos St. Martin with the owner. Life does not get better.

1,872 Views   Tasted