2015 Clos de Sarpe
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Tasting Notes
Clos de Sarpe is a tiny 3.7-hectare site on the limestone Sarpe plateau which produces wines with extraordinary ageing potential. The blend is Merlot and Cabernet Franc from old, naturally low-yielding vines, producing a wine that is dense and concentrated. Now seven years old, the 2015 has started to really open up on the nose, with the first tertiary aromas of truffle and dried fruit tones mixing with more floral violet notes, toasted spice and light vanilla. It is a stunning nose that soars from the glass. The palate is still dense and packed with concentrated, roasted black-cherry fruit and blackberry confit. The structured tannins bring depth and power to the palate. The wine is ageing beautifully. Leave it in the cellar two to three years and then enjoy over the following decade or longer. The wine is fermented and aged in 70% new oak and around 1,000 cases were made.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Showing even better now than on release, the 2015 Château Clos de Sarpe might be one of the greatest wines to ever emerge from this tiny vineyard just outside of Saint Emilion. Dense purple/plum-hued, with an enormous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, white truffles, violets, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, an incredible sense of opulence, and silky, polished tannins. It's absorbed just about every trace of its oak élevage, and while it's an incredible drink today, it's going to evolve for 30+ years or more.
The 2015 Clos de Sarpe boasts off-the-charts richness. Full-throttle and unapologetically opulent, Clos de Sarpe is probably the most exotic of the more modern, sumptuous Saint-Émilions. Super-ripe black cherry, chocolate, leather, spice and new French oak are all pushed forward. Ripeness and unctuousness are taken to the edge in this exotic beauty.
About the producer
A single family owned property belonging to the Beyney family since 1923 and currently managed by Christine and Jean-Guy Beyney. This 3.68 hectare vineyard planted 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc consists of some of the oldest vines in Saint-Émilion.