2011 Clos St Martin

The 2011 Clos Saint-Martin was inevitably going to be a comedown from the previous pair of vintages. This is more conservative and more tertiary in style, with less forward fruit; a touch of cinnamon in the background lends some intrigue. The palate is medium-bodied and clearly more approachable and pliant than the 2010. Commendable in terms of the weight and grip on the entry, though it does taper quickly and leaves you desiring more length on the finish. As such, I would open bottles in the near future and not cellar for too long. Tasted at a vertical of recent vintages at the château.

Dark and spicy on the nose. Peppery and just a little leafy. Firm, dry and leafy on the palate. Chalky texture and a little bit short/hard on the finish. (JH)

Crushed stone and chalky minerality characteristics dominate this wine’s moderate aromatics. Pure black cherry fruit, abundant tannin and a medium-bodied mouthfeel are present, and the concern is that the tannins may outlive the fruit component. However, the nobility and class of this great terroir are apparent. Hold this 2011 for another 2-3 years and drink it over the following 12-15. Given past performances, this is a major disappointment.