Château Clos de Sarpe St. Emilion 2008
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BN#408762 |
Regular$93.99 Web Sale Only$83.99 SKU16179 |  |
Wine Advocate
A massive, concentrated claret that behaves like something from the 19th century, the 2008 Clos de Sarpe, made under the supervision of Michel Rolland's top lieutenant, Jean-Philippe Fort, was cropped at a nearly commercial insanity level of 12 hectoliters per hectare. The natural alcohol of 15% must eclipse even the ripest vintages of the past. As I have said before, this is an uncompromising, massive wine made for those with longevity genes, or for stashing away for our children's children. About 500 cases are produced of this 85% Merlot / 15% Cabernet Franc blend. Almost painfully concentrated, with an opaque purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of incense, spring flowers, black fruits, graphite, and new oak, this wine displays a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel, high but sweet tannin, and a remarkably long finish that lasts over a minute. Despite the late harvest and late malolactic, the 2008 is more accessible, with sweeter tannin than the 2005 was at a similar age. Purchasers will require extraordinary patience, but what a wine! It is one of the most remarkable offerings from what is one of the four finest vintages for St.-Emilion in the last two decades.
Score: 93-96+.
—Robert Parker,
April
2009.
All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
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Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.
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