Clos de L'Oratoire

Clos de L’Oratoire is owned by Stephan von Neipperg since 1991, who also owned two other high-flying estates including Canon-La-Gaffeliere and La Mondotte. Totaling 10 ha, located on St-Emilion’s northeast hills.

Its history began in 1969 when a few plots were separated from Chateau Peyreau to be classified in their own right at the first revision of the St-Emilion Classification. But it was only until Stephan took over did the estate elevate to an entirely new height.

The soils are sand on a layer of clay, mainly clay limestone. Planted with 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, average vine age is 35 years. Harvested by hand, the berries are sorted before and after destemming

The must is fermented in temperature-controlled wooden vats for 22-30 days, with punching down. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new oak barrel, around 80-100% new, on the lees, for 15-20 months, with no fining and filtering unless absolutely necessary.

I have recently tasted the 2007 vintage, below is my tasting note:

Good quality St-Emilion with deep ruby color, the wine has a fairly intense nose of reasonable complexity, showing aromas of blackberry, bilberry and blueberry, cedar, chocolate, savory. Medium in acidity, the tannin is ripe but a bit grippy, the wine has a medium body and a reasonably intense palate, of blackberry and bilberry, blackcurrant leaf, vanilla and cedar, coffee, savory. Having a reasonable finish, it is a bit young but still drinkable, but definitely will benefit from further ageing of another 5-8 years.