2020 Clos de Sarpe
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Tasting Notes
This is lifted and exotic, really ripe and intense. There’s a headiness to it, voluptuous and rich with more delicate aromas of delicate black tea, cinnamon spice, a sweet lick of oak, liquorice, a herbal note that is almost menthol, and a dried-redcurrant richness. But this isn’t over-ripe, on the palate there’s plenty of acidity with a crunch of vibrant fruit, firm yet ripe tannins and a sweet cocoa note.
Critic Scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Opaque purple-black in color, the 2020 Clos de Sarpe rolls seductively out of the glass with opulent scents of Chinese five spice, rose oil, sandalwood and camphor, leading to a core of plum preserves, blueberry pie and fragrant soil, with a touch of woodsmoke. The rich, full-bodied palate is, as always, not lacking in freshness, delivering layer upon layer of spicy black fruit preserves and a velvety texture, finishing very long and beautifully perfumed. The blend this year is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, aging for an estimated 13 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. The alcohol weighs-in at 15%.
I continue to love the wines from this estate, and certainly today, they show a more pure, polished style than wines from just a decade ago. Their 2020 Château Clos De Sarpe boasts a vivid purple hue as well as gorgeous notes of blue fruits, black cherries, toasty oak, violets, white truffle, and tobacco. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, it has ripe tannins, a balanced, layered texture, and that rare mix of richness and freshness. This tiny, cooler terroir on the upper plateau has produced a thrilling 2020 readers will love. It will have 30+ years of longevity. Tasted twice.
Powerful, this has pretty overpowering liquorice and smoked oak overtones. Cloves, wax and blackcurrant pastilles, struggling to find balance through the mid palate.
About the producer
This small Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé estate is a FINE+RARE favourite. Run by Maylis Marcenat, the fourth generation of her family to do so, the 3.7-hectare vineyard has old vines and limestone soils, producing wines of incredible freshness and great ageability.