Clos De L’Oratoire Saint-Émilion 2019

Clos de L’Oratoire is one of those Saint-Émilions that immediately feels “put together”: generous fruit, real structure, and a calm, confident elegance rather than flash. In 2019, it leans plush and inviting up front—dark berries, cherry, cocoa—then firms up with powdery tannins and fresh Cabernet Franc lift through the finish. Critics consistently call out its polish and balance, making it an easy recommendation whether you’re buying for a special dinner or adding a few bottles to the cellar.

Quick Facts

• Producer: Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg

• Appellation: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France

• Vintage: 2019

• Blend: 81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc

• Alcohol: 14.5% ABV 

• Fermentation: Temperature-controlled wooden vats; ~30 days with pneumatic pigeage

• Aging: 16 months; 50% new oak; aged on lees; no fining

• Bottling: Château-bottled May 11–12, 2021

Tasting Profile

• Fruit: Black cherry, blackberry, ripe wild berries

• Floral: Violet, lavender

• Earth & Spice: Loamy soil, tobacco leaf, menthol, licorice

• Oak/Texture: Cocoa/bitter chocolate, polished tannins, seamless mid-palate

• Finish: Fresh and defined, long and balanced

Why We Love It

Clos de L’Oratoire is a confidence bottle: a Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion from the Neipperg family that reliably delivers depth and polish. The 2019 is especially compelling—rich without heaviness, beautifully textured, and already delicious while still built to age.

Winemaking

Fermentation takes place in wooden vats for about 30 days, with extraction managed by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap).

The wine then ages on its lees for 16 months in barrel, with 50% new oak, and is not fined—choices that emphasize texture, depth, and clarity of fruit.

Serving & Pairing

A great match for classic, cozy “Bordeaux food”:

• Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, short ribs

• Mushrooms, lentils, and herb-forward dishes

• Duck, pork, or sausage with savory sides

• Aged cheeses (Comté, Tomme, aged Gouda)

Drinking Window

Enjoy now with a decant for extra openness, or cellar for 8–15+ years for added complexity and savory nuance.

Estate Overview

Clos de L’Oratoire is part of the Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg portfolio in Saint-Émilion, crafted with a focus on meticulous vineyard work and precision élevage. The estate is known for producing wines that balance ripe Merlot richness with the aromatic lift and structure of Cabernet Franc—polished, age-worthy, and distinctly Saint-Émilion in feel.