Mushroom and blackberry aromas with hints of crushed raspberries. Medium to full body, firm and creamy tannins. Chocolate and toasted oak. Shows depth and intensity. Beautiful to drink now.

The 2017 La Clotte was one of the Vauthier’s most impressive wines from barrel and now that it is bottled, I find no reason to change that view. It delivers gorgeous black cherry and raspberry coulis aromas, intermingling with sous-bois and crushed iris. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, fresh and vibrant, very well proportioned with a veins of _mineralité _ on the finish that might be a distant cousin of a very fine Loire. This is simply a superb Saint-Émilion that is rapidly making a name for itself. www.vinous.com

A blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 La Clotte displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color. It charges out of the gate with bold cassis, plum preserves and kirsch scents plus nuances of mocha, cardamom and tar with a waft of aniseed. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers plenty of invigorating, energetic fruit with very well-managed, plush tannins and a nice, long spicy finish.

The 2017 La Clotte bristles with energy. Under the direction of the Vauthier family, this small Saint-Émilion cru is starting to show the full breadth of its personality. Crushed rocks, lavender, spice and inky dark fruit are all finely knit in this super-expressive, gracious Saint-Émilion. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. The 2017 is fresh, vibrant and wonderfully nuanced from start to finish.

Composed of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 La Clotte has quite an earthy nose with scents of black loam, truffles and mossy bark over a core of red and black plums with suggestions of tar and bay leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with bright fruit and a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins plus the freshness kicks-in on the long finish. A wonderfully energetic wine! LPB

Bought two years ago by the Vauthier family of Ausone. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc. Fermented in tank and aged 18 months in 100% new oak. Inky purple crimson. Quite charry on the nose and the oak shows on the palate, though the fruit is sweet and the finish is surprisingly fresh. Sweet/sour on the finish. But lots of fruit to outlast the oak. (JH)