2016 Château de Clotte, Cotes de Castillon
Here Château de Clotte once again demonstrate the sheer craftsmanship and exquisite, Saint-Émilion-flavoured terroir you can still find in a sub-£15 bottle of Right Bank claret. A sumptuous cab franc/merlot/malbec blend showing rich, berry fruit flavours and a hint of spice, tobacco and vanilla from its oak ageing, and one ever more exuberant when opened an hour beforehand.
Tasting note
Warmth on the nose that enhances aromas of
roasted coffee and candy fruit. On the palate,
seductive flavours of black cherry meld with a
rich tannic structure. The mid-palate is aerial,
leaving an impression of crisp fruit that leads
to a long, aromatic finish.
Critic reviews
"Another classy Castillon claret, this time mostly cabernet franc, with merlot and a dash of malbec. Ready to drink now, what you get from this red, stylishly integrated with oak, is a rich, meaty, truffley, umami-laden mouthful that is perfect with a festive baron of beef." Jane McQuitty, The Times, 26/11/2022
"The 2016 Château de Clotte is a fully mature claret from Castillon thats in peak condition. A blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cab Sauv and Cab Franc, its soft and approachable with intense dark fruit, touches of cedarwood and spice and a long savoury finish. It really is impressive."
Jonathan Ray, The Spectator Magazine