2016 EP Chateau Clauzet, St Estephe
Modern rendition of St. Estephe. Deep and full extraction with suppressed cassis, black cherry, with dry flowers, some warmth (menthol) and wood tones (charcoal). Medium length.
Château Clauzet covers 23 hectares so there is some enonomy of scale to drive the production cost. Gravelly soil, hence always some ripeness and structure. There are some complexities and structure (55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, the remainder in Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
The story goes that this wine is vinified in thermo-regulated cement tanks, then matured in barrels of which 30 to 40% new. It will be a good food wine, with strong mid palate.
This presents itself as a reasonably interesting St Estephe because:
There are not many St Estephe CBs who experimented with terroir and wine making
Balanced, with traditional St Estephe character and modernity (power and structure)
A good food wine with strong mid palate
High score NM92, more than reasonable price; high cost performance.
