2009 Clos de l’Oratoire

Description

“This is very suave, with mocha and smoldering tobacco flavors laced with fig, plum and blackberry notes. A flash of sweet tapenade and iron helps extend the finish, which has lovely latent minerality. This shows great restraint, considering its power of fruit. Best from 2015 through 2027” (3/2012) 94 points,  Wine Spectator

“Wild nose of flowers, sweet tobacco and ripe fruit, follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Firm tannins, yet fresh finish.” (2/2012) 93 points, James Suckling

“A flamboyant St.-Emilion, this largely-Merlot blend displays notes of Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, tobacco leaf, and loads of black currant and blackberry fruit. A showy, extravagantly concentrated, hedonistic style of St.-Emilion, with some wood smoke and roasted herbs adding nuance to the full-throttle aromatics and long, lush, silky flavors, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for up to 15+ years.” (2/2012) 93 points,  Robert Parker for The Wine Advocate

“Bright ruby-red. Cherry, cola and sandalwood on the expressive nose. Densely packed, unctuous and sweet, with powerful spice shop lift to its cherry fruit. Quite suave in texture and very long on the back end, finishing with substantial dusty, oak-driven tannins. A knockout for this property.” (7/2012) 91 points, Stephen Tanzer