La Clotte 2019

The 2019 La Clotte was picked from September 27 to October 7. It has a complex bouquet of detailed red berry fruit, wild hedgerow, crushed stone and wilted rose petal aromas, engaging and (for the vintage) understated. The palate is medium-bodied, ripe and beautifully poised, with pliant tannins and a judicious touch of spice. This builds wonderfully in the mouth and feels elegant and refined, almost Burgundian on the finish. Wonderful. 2025 - 2048

From a small, four-hectare vineyard that the Vauthier family acquired in 2014, the 2019 La Clotte offers up inviting aromas of wild blueberries, licorice, coniferous forest floor and sweet spices. Medium to full-bodied, bright and concentrated, it's tightly wound, with lively acids and chalky tannins. This is a promising effort from an estate in the ascendant. Drink Date 2025 - 2050

Polished nose of ripe plums, blackberries, walnuts, cigar box, chocolate orange and mahogany. It’s medium-bodied with firm, velvety tannins. Creamy and refined, yet with a firm, precise structure. Try in 2026.

The 2019 La Clotte is made from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens a little broody with notions of cedar chest, charcoal, and pencil lead over a core of plum preserves, black raspberries, and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is plush and round with generous black fruit preserves flavors and a racy backbone, finishing long with a red berry lift.