Clos de l'Oratoire
Grand Cru Classé / AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
Presentation
Clos de l’Oratoire, located on Saint-Emilion's northeast slope, has 13 hectares of vines. The terroir of Fronsac molasse, consisting of a layer of sandy soil and a clay subsoil, is ideally suited to Merlot (80% of the vines).
Meticulous work is done all year long to maintain quality in the vineyard.
Fermentation takes place exclusively in temperature-controlled oak vats. Oak, a noble material in perfect synergy with fine wine, enhances its colour and flavour, and enables it to reach its full potential.
Every vat is handled according to its specific profile. Fermentation temperatures are kept relatively low and pigeage (punching down the cap) is done very slowly.
The wine
Clos de l’Oratoire is round, smooth, and very seductive. It has a beautiful deep crimson colour and powerful fruity aromas. Merlot provides roundness and opulence, whereas Cabernet Franc contributes power, aromatic complexity, and a long aftertaste. Although Clos de l’Oratoire can be enjoyed seven years after the vintage, it is, above all, a wine with fine ageing potential.
The vineyard
- Terroir: clay-limestone with Fronsac molasse on top of the slope and clay-sand soil at the foot of the slope.
- Area under vine: 13,07 ha (32,12 acres)
- Grape varieties: 80 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Franc.
- Average age of the vines: 35 years
Production
- Harvesting: By hand, into small crates to avoid bruising. Sorting before and after destemming. No crushing. The grapes arrive on a conveyor belt.
- Fermentation: In temperature-controlled wooden vats for 22 to 30 days depending on the vintage. Extraction by pneumatic "pigeage" (punching down the cap).
- Malolactic fermentation and ageing: In new oak barrels (up to 80%) on fine lees. Fining and filtering as necessary, depending on the vintage.
- Duration of barrel ageing: 18 months.
Vintages
2021
Organic Certified by FR-BIO-10
Harvest dates
01/10 to 13/10/2021
Yield
36 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 32 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (30%) on the lees for 15 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled on the 9th & 10th May 2023
Blend
90% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2020
Organic Certified by FR-BIO-10
Harvest dates
22/09 to 25/09/2020
Yield
36 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 34 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (40%) on the lees for 16 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in May 2022 (06/05 to 10/05)
Blend
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2019
Harvest dates
23/09 to 07/10/2019
Yield
51 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden and concrete vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (50%) on the lees for 16 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled on the 11th and 12th of May 2021
Blend
81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14.5%
2018
Harvest dates
21/09 to 04/10/2018
Yield
36 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (45%) on the lees for 16 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled on the 28th and 29th of May 2020
Blend
85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14,5%
2017
Harvest dates
26/09 to 02/10/2017
Yield
11 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (50%) on the lees for 15 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled on the 28th of June 2019
Blend
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13,5%
2016
Harvest dates
10/10 to 17/10/2016
Yield
49 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (45%) on the lees for 14 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in March 2018 (19th to 21st)
Blend
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14,5%
2015
Harvest dates
25/09 to 30/09/2015
Yield
45 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (40%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2017 (06/06 to 07/06)
Blending
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14,5%
2014
Harvest dates
03/10 to 10/10/2014
Yield
40 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (50%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2016 (29/06 to 30/06)
Blending
90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14%
2013
Harvest dates
06/10 to 10/10/2013
Yield
17 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 20 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (55%) on the lees for 15 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in April 2015 (16/04 to 17/04)
Blending
95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2012
Harvest dates
11/10 to 22/10/2012
Yield
25 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (60%) on the lees for 15 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in March 2014 (26/03 to 27/03)
Blending
90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2011
Harvest dates
26/09 to 29/09/2011
Yield
42 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 26 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (60%) on the lees for 14 months. No fining
Bottling
Château-bottled in May 2013 (15/05 to 17/05)
Blending
90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2010
Harvest dates
The entire crop was picked on 2 days: 14/10 and 15/10/2010
Yield
30 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 28 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (75%) on the lees for 15 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in April 2012
Blending
95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14.5%
2009
Harvest dates
07/10 to 12/10/2009
Yield
20 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (70%) on the lees for 15 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in April 2011
Blending
90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14%
2008
Harvest dates
08/10 to 23/10/2008
Yield
29 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (70%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in May 2010
Blending
95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2007
Harvest dates
09/10 to 17/10/2007
Yield
35 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 28 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (80%) on the lees for 17 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in May 2009
Blending
90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13%
2006
Harvest dates
22/09 to 01/10/2006
Yield
38 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 28 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (70%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in May 2008
Blending
95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2005
Harvest dates
28/09 to 10/10/2005
Yield
35 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 30 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (80%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in Mai 2007
Blending
90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
14%
2004
Harvest dates
05/10 to 16/10/2004
Yield
42 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 28 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (80%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2006
Blending
90% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2003
Harvest dates
15/09 to 25/09/2003
Yield
27 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 23 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (80%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2005
Blending
80% Merlot 15% Cabernet Franc 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2002
Harvest dates
28/09 to 06/10/2002
Yield
27 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 22 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (80%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in May 2004
Blending
95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2001
Harvest dates
04/10 to 12/10/2001
Yield
33 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 25 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (70%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2003
Blending
90% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
2000
Harvest dates
26/09 to 10/10/2000
Yield
39 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 26 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (90%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2002
Blending
85% Merlot 15% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
1999
Harvest dates
01/10 to 07/10/1999
Yield
29 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 24 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (70%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2001
Blending
95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
1998
Harvest dates
29/09 to 08/10/1998
Yield
39 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 25 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (80%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 2000
Blending
85% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcoholic degree
13.5%
1997
Harvest dates
26/09 to 06/10/1997
Yield
38 hl/ha
Winemaking
in wooden vats for 28 days. Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap)
Ageing
in new oak barrels (100%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 1999
Blending
95% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcoholic degree
13%
1996
Harvest dates
08/10 to 15/10/1996
Yield
41 hl/ha
Winemaking
in stainless steel vats for 28 days. Extraction by pumping-over
Ageing
in new oak barrels (60%) on the lees for 18 months. No fining or filtering
Bottling
Château-bottled in June 1998
Blending
80% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcoholic degree
13%