CHÂTEAU LA CLOTTE

The 2020 La Clotte exudes depth and is intensely packed with dark red cherry, plum and blood orange fruit. Today, La Clotte is incredibly primary, with terrific fruit density but less in the way of aromatic complexity. That’s probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects, but readers will have to be patient. It spent 18 months in 100% new French oak, and there is some oak that still needs to integrate. Drinking range: 2028 - 2045 Rating: 95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

This was pretty austere during En Primeur and is now beginning to put on weight, showing sleek raspberry and redcurrant fruit, studded with fennel, marzipan and orange rind with a mouthwatering finish. Clear limestone influence, just love watching what is happening at this property since the 2015 arrival of the Vauthiers. 100% new oak. An excellent, La Clotte, look out for it. Drinking range: 2028 - 2046 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (Feb 2023)

The 2020 La Clotte comes from a small 4-hectare estate, rapidly becoming one of the Vauthier family's most coveted crus. This is another in the canon of outstanding recent vintages. It offers a mixture of red and black fruit, pain d'épices and crushed stone, gaining complexity with aeration while remaining very cohesive. The palate is very harmonious with finely-chiseled tannins, a seam of graphite imparted by the 15% Cabernet Franc, beautifully focused and refined towards the finish. This is a very classy Saint-Émilion, one that will require time. Drinking range: 2026 - 2050 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

Anis, almond and marzipan on the nose. There is a subtle interplay of tannin and acidity, linear and direct, finishing up with a clementine and orange rind bitterness that also gives a sense of forward propulsion through the palate. Has definition and personality, and continues its improvements under the Ausone team. Moulin St Georges has more breadth, depth and texture through the palate - this has more of a limestone squeeze, giving plenty of choice depending on what you are looking for. Drinking range: 2027 - 2045 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (May 2021)