2014 Clos de l'Oratoire

The Clos de l'Oratoire 2014 is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked from 3 to 10 October and vatted for 30 days, matured in 50% new wood. It has a slightly pinched nose at first, nicely defined but actually finding it hard to follow the exuberant d'Aiguilhe '14. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, plush redcurrant and strawberry fruit with a strong oak influence towards the finish. Not bad at all, although I find the d'Aiguilhe more captivating at this early juncture. Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com

This is already really delicious. The black-fruit aromas are really ripe, but there’s no hint of jammy stuff. Tastes simultaneously juicy and creamy, and the tannins are so graceful: The wine glides across the palate. If it were more subtle, the score would go even higher. Feb 2017, www.jamessuckling.com