2015 Chateau Clos de Sarpe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 750 ml

In March of 2020, critic Jeb Dunnuck made a once-in-a-lifetime trip to a mythical Bordeaux estate Clos de Sarpe. The objective: To taste over 30 vintages from this legendary estate, dating all the way back to 1952. 

At the end of the day, the 2015 Clos de Sarpe stood out as one of the greatest on the table—in fact, one of the greatest ever produced at this cultish estate. 

“Showing even better now than on release,” Dunnuck wrote in his 97+ point review, “the 2015 Château Clos de Sarpe might be one of the greatest wines to ever emerge from this tiny vineyard just outside of Saint Emilion.” A wine of “Amarone-like” richness (Galloni), it’s one of the great bottles of a phenomenal vintage. 

A minuscule estate known for some of the most ageworthy wines in Bordeaux, Clos de Sarpe is one of the most fascinating small producers on the Right Bank. Farmed organically by the same family for a century, they do not make much wine—around 1,000 cases per year from their 10-acre vineyard—but what they do make has caught the attention of some of the world’s great collectors and critics. In his Bordeaux opus, Robert Parker wrote, “There is so much power, depth, and concentrated fruit that serious Bordeaux consumers need to give it a try.”

The property is nestled on the upper limestone plateau east of Saint-Emilion, in a cooler region near Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. This tiny vineyard of less than four hectares is planted with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. All farmed organically and boasting very old vines, the estate's unique terroir naturally produces low pH wines, typically under 3.5, setting it apart from most Right Bank wines.

A wine of uncommon richness, Clos de Sarpe is built for the cellar, and this one is drinking beautifully right now