Clos De Sarpe 1998 Ex-Chateau (750ML)

 94 WA / 93 JD

Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 1998 Clos de Sarpe gives a beautiful perfume of Chinese five spice, sandalwood and preserved plums with notions of dried mulberries, potpourri, black truffles, cast iron pan and a compelling waft of aniseed. Medium-bodied with wonderful elegance, incredible freshness and a scintillating satiny texture, the perfumed layers just go on and on. Wow—fantastic surprise! - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

The 1998 Château Clos de Sarpe is another start of a dramatic change in winemaker, with new oak being introduced to the estate in 1997 (that wine was brought up in equal parts new oak and concrete) and the 1998 to present being brought up all in new barrels. The 1987 was also the first vintage to be completely destemmed (by hand) and the estate started using a mechanical destemmer in 2005. The 1998 reveals a still youthful ruby color as well as a big, ripe, sexy nose of blackcurrants, cigar wrappers, toasted spice, and sweet oak. These carry to a powerful, full-bodied Saint-Emilion that has a wonderful sweetness of fruit, a stacked mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's drinking brilliantly today yet has a long life ahead of it. - Jeb Dunnuck