Clos St. Martin Clos St. Martin
Saint-Émilion, France
Vintage:2014 (Past)
2015 (Past) | 2016 (Current) | 2017 (Current) | 2018 (Current)
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Reviews
The Wine Advocate
92 Points
March 31, 2017, Neal Martin
“The 2014 Clos St Martin has a bouquet that is just as opulent as the Les Grandes Murailles, though perhaps without quite the same class and breeding. The palate is structured and very focused, underpinned by its fine thread of acidity and superb precision on the finish that has a slight herbaceousness that needs to be addressed. This will probably take longer to come round than the Les Grandes Murailles, but there is genuine class and sophistication embroidered into this Saint Emilion. Tasted twice with consistent notes.”
JamesSuckling.com
92 Points
February 14, 2017, James Suckling
“Big black fruits and a full body, but in spite of this scale the wine has good freshness and enough tannin to balance well. Very succulent and rewarding. Drink or hold.”
Overview
2014 VINTAGE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER ONLY Established in 1850, this tiny estate is situated on Saint-Émilion’s limestone plateau, adjacent to Château Canon. Named after the neighboring church of Saint Martin, Clos St. Martin is today owned and managed by Sophie Fourcade, with Michel Rolland acting as consulting winemaker. At 1.33 hectares (3.28 acres), Clos St. Martin is the smallest classified Bordeaux wine in Saint-Émilion. The vineyard sits on clay and limestone soils, typical of the appellation’s limestone plateau, and is planted 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an average vine age of 35 years.
Winemaking
After being harvested by hand, the grapes undergo an eight-day pre-fermentation cold maceration at 8ºC (46.5ºF). Since 2008, the must is fermented in 100% new oak barrels for 48 days, before Malolactic fermentation takes place in 100% new oak barrels - the first four months of which is spent on the lees, stirred by hand twice a week. The wine is then aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 20 months. In most vintages, Clos St. Martin produces around 250 cases.
Technical Information
Varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon