2018 La Clotte

Levitates above the palate, this was a hot year and yet it is light and fresh even at seven years old. Pomegranate, cumin, raspberry, orange peel, luscious and mouthwatering, fragrant and gentle - a clear indication that La Clotte under the Vauthier family is one to watch.

The 2018 La Clotte has a vibrant, expressive bouquet, a mixture of black and red fruit, violets, incense and background marine scents that are all beautifully delineated and gain intensity with aeration (this bottle was monitored over 2–3 hours). The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins and a fine bead of acidity, paradoxically exerting weight but feeling nimble and pliant. There is some new oak to be assimilated toward the finish, so give this La Clotte 4–5 years to fully meld together, because it will be worth the wait.