Château Clos St. Martin Château Clos St. Martin

Slow ox for an hour, this bottle was expressive after two hours or so. Surprisingly resolved tannins and integration, this tasted mature to me. Came back for a glass on night two having been sealed overnight, and also surprising, it was best on first night. Classic profile with saline / oyster shell that threw me off - tasted blind, I probably would have guessed Pessac.

The production is always tiny, but with the combination of only 20% of the vineyard being replanted and a difficult vintage, less than 500 cases will be made of the 2011. From 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is aged in 100% new oak. Coffee, floral, black plum, earth and smoky barbecue aromas open to a supple-textured, round, sweet, black cherry-filled wine. 91-93 Pts