2024 Clos de Sarpe
Buying options
Tasting notes
This is another impressive wine from Maylis Marcenat at Clos de Sarpe, who made just 20hl/ha this year. It’s always fascinating to taste the different components here, seeing what each brings to the blend – from the juice young Merlot and deep, plush old-vine Merlot to the spicy muscle of the Cabernet Franc. Sweet spice and pepper sit alongside the depth of fruit on the nose, which shifts to reveal cherry blossom aromas. The palate is silken in texture, with a tightly packed core. The taut acidity creates great length in the wine, driving through to a mouthwatering finish, while there’s a chalky, mineral undercurrent to the juicy blueberry and black cherry fruit. Aged in 60% new oak, with 10% cement. 13% alcohol and 3.35pH. Blend: 78% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Critic scores
Average Score
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Lots of juicy cherries, red plums, incense, graphite, and candied violet notes define the aromatics of the 2024 Château Clos de Sarpe. Medium-bodied, it has a layered, ripe mouthfeel, good mid-palate depth, and ripe tannins. Both barrel samples I tasted showed promise, although the wine was a touch hard to read at this stage. Still, I have no doubt it will come together beautifully in bottle. This remains one of my favorite châteaux on the Right Bank and continues to be a hidden gem.
Some ripe cherries and berries plus hazelnut chocolate on the nose. Racy and bright on the palate, this has medium to full body and firm, fine-grained tannins. Flavorful finish with some tart cherries at the end.
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.