critic reviews
The 2023 Clos de l'Oratoire has a fresher and more vital bouquet than the d'Aiguilhe, with blackberry and briar scents, touches of sous-bois and clove. The palate is medium-bodied with more weight on the entry, though not complex overall, and it just misses a little precision toward the finish. Not bad though, so afford this a year in bottle.
The 2023 Clos de l'Oratoire is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of black cherries, boysenberry preserves, and licorice jump from the glass, giving way to wafts of camphor and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate is densely laden with taut, muscular black fruits, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing with a minty kick. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Aromas of cherries, dark chocolate, spices and violets introduce the 2023 Clos de l'Oratoire, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered wine that's charming and harmonious on the attack, displaying a touch of youthfully grippy tannin on the finish. The blend contains fully 25% Cabernet Franc.