Château La Clotte 2015

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This was the first vintage for the Vauthier family of Château Ausone off this tiny three-hectare estate. Composed of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 85% new, the 2015 La Clotte displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and a very spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise and allspice over core of red and black currants, mulberries and black soil plus a waft of violets. Full-bodied and decadently fruited with a firm backbone of very ripe, beautifully velvety tannins, it has a lively backbone providing loads of lift throughout the very long finish.

VertdeVin

The nose is fruity, fresh, gourmand, precise and fine. It reveals notes of boysenberry and slight notes of cassis associated with a hint of fresh red berries, spices as well as a discreet hint of dried tobacco and flowers. The palate is fruity, nicely harmonious, elegant, fleshy, relatively gourmand, relatively fat and offers tension, freshness, suavity, minerality as well as a beautiful and silky matter. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy blackberry, a touche of plum and slight notes of strawberry, raspberry, cassis associated with a hint of toasted oak and a discreet hint of roasting (in the background). Tannins are fine and elegant. Good length and persistence on the fruit.

Falstaff

Wine Enthusiast

This marks the first full vintage of this wine with the same winemaking team as Château Ausone. It shows great promise with supple black fruits, ripe tannins and intense acidity. The wine will age well with its firm structure as well as great acidity and crispness at the end. Drink from 2025.

James Suckling

Very perfumed and beautiful with blackberry and blueberry aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silk tannins and a chalky and limestone undertone. Peppery edge. Lightly chewy finish. Give it three or four years to soften.