Clos de l'Oratoire, St Emilion Grand Cru, 2022

Name: Clos de l'Oratoire, St Emilion Grand Cru
Brand: Clos de l'Oratoire
Price: 165.5 GBP

Available Vintages

all 2022 2023 2024

critic reviews

94/100Chris Kissack,The Wine Independent

A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, matured in in vat and oak barrels, the latter using 30% new oak, for 15 months. A little nose of dried berries and currants, violets, a touch of pencil shavings. A beautifully focused palate, linear in style, fresh with an acid frame and a light, powdery, unobtrusive backbone of finely polished tannins. Very correct, with delicious harmony in the midpalate, through to an elegant finish with some peppery energy. Good length too, with lingering tight-knit tannins. A good Clos de l’Oratoire. The alcohol on the label is 14%.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2047

date of review 06/2025

92/100Neal Martin,Vinous

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire takes time to open its blackberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and white pepper scents in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins that cohere nicely. The slightly higher proportion of Cabernet Franc imparts more pepperiness on the finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a fine, classically styled Saint-Émilion.

DRINKING WINDOW 2030 - 2050

date of review 02/2025

93/100Jane Anson,Inside Bordeaux

Lovely aromatics, with rose petals and tomato leaf, shows sinewy tannin and raspberry puree fruits, charming and thoroughly enjoyable. 47hl/h yield, massal selection now fully underway, with around 10% of the blend from vines dating from the 1950s. Former technical director Gaëlle Barbareau still involved, with Ludovic de Niepperg in charge, no outside consultant. 30% new oak. More clay in the vineyard than in most of this sector of St Emilion, over limestone mother rock, with no till farming across most of the property, and mulching over the rest. Certified organic since 2020.

DRINKING WINDOW 2028 - 2040

date of review 05/2023

92-94/100William Kelley,Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire includes fully 20% Cabernet Franc this year, which has brought more depth and structure to the blend. Offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, petals and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vibrant, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish.

date of review 04/2023