Clos de l'Oratoire (BIO-ORGANIC) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

94

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Clos de L’Oratoire vividly reflects the influence of the hot, dry 2022 vintage. Its alluring sweetness, derived from exceptional ripeness, entices the senses right from the start, delivering an experience of pure pleasure. The clay-limestone and sandy soils imbue the wine with a dense yet graceful profile of floral and fruity notes. Captivating notes of blackberry, cherry, and ripe bayberry are complemented by a tea stem finish that lingers like a poet’s well-crafted rhyme. An unmissable Clos de L’Oratoire for wine lovers!

The Wine Cellar Insider

94

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Clos de l'Oratoire

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

The 2022 Clos De L'Oratoire is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, and you can expect the quantity of the Cabernet Franc to increase here as the younger vines move into the Grand Vin. Black raspberries, crunchy black cherries, spice, flowers, and a gorgeous sense of minerality all define this beauty. It's medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. It might be the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

La part de Cabernet Franc a constamment augmenté au cours des dernières années pour pratiquement faire 30 % de l'assemblage. Cela se ressent par exemple au niveau olfactif avec des nuances de pivoines accompagnées de notes de baies noires et de menthe. En bouche, le vin s'affiche avec finesse et précision. Avant d'être ample, il est surtout linéaire, précis et emmené par une fraîcheur qui va de pair avec la puissance des tannins. Un Clos de l'Oratoire dynamique, salivant, juvénile qui trace une nouvelle direction, tout en gardant la finesse en point de mire. 2027-2044 95/100

Vinous

92

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire takes time to open its blackberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and white pepper scents in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins that cohere nicely. The slightly higher proportion of Cabernet Franc imparts more pepperiness on the finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a fine, classically styled Saint-Émilion.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

This is very integrated, with tannins that grow very nicely on the finish. Dark-berry, fresh-herb and dark-plum character. It's medium- to full-bodied with a creamy texture and hints of bitter lemon and ash. Flavorful at the end, but reserved. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. It needs time to develop, though it’s delicious now. Drink after 2028.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire is a gorgeous, sensual wine. At the same time, it is quite the powerhouse. The 2022 is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, so a bit more Franc than was once the norm. That, along with earlier picking, has brought added aromatic intensity and structure. Rose petal, dried herbs, orange peel, mint and sage play off a core of dark red-toned fruit. Give this time.

Decanter.com

93

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Smells bright and concentrated, rich and intense, lovely aromatics, perfumed and darkly fruited on the nose. Nice depth and generosity on the palate, round and juicy, supple and mouthwatering. Gorgeous intensity - sharp and lean, but chalky and creamy too, a lovely spiced vein of liquorice, tobacco and clove with some salty elements too. Juicy and fun, a friendliness and complexity to this makes it really quite charming. Bright and vibrant, balanced and easy to drink. Great structure and composure, finessed but still with strength. Yield: 47hl/ha. 30% new oak barrels.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire was picked from 13-23 September at 47hL/ha and aged in 30% new oak. It has a nicely composed, floral bouquet with red cherries, crushed strawberry and orange rind. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and well-balanced, with a gentle grip on the entry, grainy tannins and a lively and overly peppery finish that lingers in the mouth. More structured than the d'Aiguilhe, this will merit four to five years in bottle.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

Lovely aromatics, with rose petals and tomato leaf, shows sinewy tannin and raspberry puree fruits, charming and thoroughly enjoyable. 47hl/h yield, massal selection now fully underway, with around 10% of the blend from vines dating from the 1950s. Former technical director Gaëlle Barbareau still involved, with Ludovic de Niepperg in charge, no outside consultant. 30% new oak. More clay in the vineyard than in most of this sector of St Emilion, over limestone mother rock, with no till farming across most of the property, and mulching over the rest. Certified organic since 2020.

matthewjukes.com

17,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

93-95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire is blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and is aging in 30% new oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notes of juicy plums and blueberry preserves with underlying hints of kirsch, red roses, and star anise. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is vivacious and fragrant with lovely plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

Yvesbeck.wine

93-94

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Très belle définition dans le bouquet du Clos de l'Oratoire. Je l'ai rarement dégusté avec autant de fraîcheur et de pluralité. Entre des nuances épicées et des notes de garrigues je relève également des nuances florales avec des parfums de pivoine puis une touche de fenouil. Le vin a de la dimension, un caractère crémeux et des tannins veloutés ainsi qu'une rafraîchissante structure qui confère un côté salivant et salin à la finale, où l'on retrouve la fraîcheur du bouquet ! Finalement de beaux amers impactent la fin de bouche et étirent la finale. Une très belle réussite !

Bettane & Desseauve

93

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Plus de cabernet franc dans ce millésime donne un éclat nouveau et de la fraîcheur dans le tannin de ce qui est sans doute le meilleur vin de l’histoire de la propriété.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

Black raspberries, cassis, leafy herbs, leather, and even some blue fruits emerge from the 2022 Clos De L'Oratoire, an elegant medium to full-bodied, silky Saint-Emilion. It has solid tannic grip, but the balance is there, the fruit is clean and pure, and it's a gem of a wine in the making.

Vinous

92-94

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Clos de L’Oratoire is rich, sensual and super-expressive. The blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the Franc adding dynamic energy, aromatic presence and structure. Complex and beautifully layered, Clos de L’Oratoire is showing beautifully today. Succulent red cherry, blood orange, spice, tobacco, cedar and dried herbs build, with clean, saline notes that extend the finish. Drinking window : 2032-2047

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Licorice, violets, black plums, incense, black raspberries, smoke, and leafy herbs open the nose. On the palate, the wine is creamy, fresh, rich, and loaded with black fruits, crushed stone, and spice. The oak is already close to fully integrated. The wine blends 80% Merlot, with 20% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2026-2045.

Wine Advocate

92-94

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

The 2022 Clos de l'Oratoire includes fully 20% Cabernet Franc this year, which has brought more depth and structure to the blend. Offering up aromas of dark berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, petals and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vibrant, with a sweet core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

A gorgeous vivid red with lead pencil and black berry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with plenty of fine tannins. Black olives and dark fruit. Tight and structured. Muscular and formed, but not overbearing. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. From organically grown grapes.