2017 Château La Clotte Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

2017 Château La Clotte Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a poised, classically styled Right Bank Bordeaux that showcases the elegance of Merlot grown on limestone. This Grand Cru marries intensity with finesse, offering ripe, dark fruit wrapped in refined tannins and lifted by a vibrant spine of acidity. With its tiny 4-hectare estate and ownership by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone, La Clotte has become one of Saint-Émilion’s most quietly coveted addresses.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Château La Clotte shows a medium to deep garnet-purple hue, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose is bold and expressive, opening with cassis, plum preserves and cherry liqueur, followed by layers of mocha, cardamom, tar and a subtle touch of anise seed. On the palate, this is medium-bodied yet powerful in flavor, with a core of energetic, juicy black and red fruits framed by very well-managed, silky tannins. Notes of dark chocolate, sweet spice and a faint mineral edge from the limestone add complexity and length. The finish is long and gently spicy, maintaining freshness rather than heaviness. Enjoyable now with a brief decant, it has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for another 8–12 years, gaining more tertiary nuances of tobacco, truffle and forest floor with time.

Production
Sourced from just about 4 hectares of vines in Saint-Émilion, Château La Clotte benefits from superb limestone terraces with clay-limestone soils—ideal conditions for Merlot, supported by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The 2017 blend is 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Grapes are harvested by hand, allowing careful selection of only the healthiest, ripest fruit. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve purity of fruit and ensure precise control over extraction. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 to 18 months in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, adding subtle toast, spice and structural polish without overwhelming the natural character of the wine.

Food & Serving
This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is a versatile partner for refined, savory dishes. It pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, duck breast, beef tenderloin, veal, or classic bistro fare such as entrecôte with jus, as well as richer poultry dishes like roast chicken with wild mushrooms. It also complements aged hard cheeses and earthy vegetable dishes—think truffle risotto, lentils with herbs, or roasted root vegetables. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decant for 30–60 minutes in its youth to soften the tannins and open up the aromatics; older bottles (8+ years) will need a gentler, shorter decant to remove sediment.

Producer
Château La Clotte is a historic Saint-Émilion estate with roots dating back to the 19th century, long recognized for the quality of its limestone terroir. Tucked into the famed plateau and slopes of Saint-Émilion, the property has always been considered a jewel of the appellation, but it gained new prominence when it was acquired in 2014 by the Vauthier family, owners of the legendary Château Ausone. Under their stewardship, La Clotte has seen meticulous vineyard work, low yields and precision winemaking, elevating it into the ranks of the region’s most serious, terroir-driven Grand Cru wines. Today, it is celebrated for delivering Ausone-adjacent pedigree in a more discreet, boutique package.

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