2015 Clos Saint-Martin
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Tasting notes
This captures the exuberance of the 2015 vintage with seductive layers to the fig, cassis and blueberry fruits well balanced by juice, and powerful liqourice root. A sense of pushing at the boundaries of ripeness but rooted in a sharper, limestone-drenched freshness. This really works, shows what can be achieved on this terroir. A trace of heat on the finish but plenty of interest.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Clos Saint-Martin was the first vintage to be partly matured in clay amphora. The impressively intense bouquet features black currants, raspberry preserve, pressed iris and light vanilla scents emanating from a little new oak that is waiting to be assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins and a gorgeous creamy texture, becoming more powdery toward the finish. Very good acidity and harmony, with closing salinity that is perhaps absent in previous vintages. This is a very impressive showing - much better than at last year's blind tasting. A wine embarking upon an upward curve? Tasted at a vertical of recent vintages at the château.
The 2015 Clos Saint-Martin feels quite reduced with a metallic trait on the nose that slightly occludes the fruit at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with good grip, a fine bead of acidity and a dash of white pepper and sage toward the finish. Once that reduction goes, this should be a very decent Saint-Émilion. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Round – the tannins are almost invisible! Meat-and-two-veg sort of flavours. Confident and meaty. Just a bit chewy on the end. (JR)