2016 Clos St Julien
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Tasting Notes
Very tight and intense with lots of dark fruit and minerals. Full body, polished and chewy tannins and a long finish. Shows mineral and salty character. We will see. Mar 2017, www.jamessuckling.com
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Clos Saint Julien is magnificent. In many vintages, ripeness is pushed to the edge, or perhaps even beyond, but in 2016 all the elements come together to yield a Clos Saint Julien that is long on class and elegance. There is plenty of fruit intensity and richness, but the wine remains light on its feet, aromatically expressive and profoundly beautiful. Readers should expect a relatively understated Clos Saint Julien built on persistence more than heft.
The 2016 Clos St Julien is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot. It has a tightly wound marine-tinged bouquet with well defined black fruit. The palate is ripe on the entry with supple black fruit and a touch of tar, the Cabernet Franc very expressive with a pleasant savoury finish that lingers long in the mouth. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2015 but this might be even better. Superb. Apr 2017, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2023-2045
An equal blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot aged in 100% new oak for 16 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Clos St Julien features warm plums, stewed cherries, dried mulberries and earth with oolong tea and Chinese five spice. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewy frame and earthy layers, finishing on an earthy note. About 416 cases produced. Nov 2018, www.robertparker.com
