Chateau Clos de L'Oratoire 2005

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (93)

Think of a chocolate fudge ice cream sundae drizzled with coffee, creme de cassis and blackberry liqueur and you’ll have an idea of what this wine smells like. Exotic, full-bodied, fleshy, and sumptuous, this hedonistic blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc was created by Stephan von Neipperg and his brilliant consultant, Stephane Derenoncourt. Inky purple to the rim, with a flamboyant personality, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. It tastes so good, it may be declared a “banned substance” by neo-traditionalists.

Winespectator (93)

This is exotic, with mushroom, blackberry and meat aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and lots of decadent fruit character. Long and beautiful. The best from this estate since 1990.