2016 Clos Des Menuts L'Excellence Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Present in Saint-Émilion since 1875, the Rivière family operates a 25 ha vineyard. In the 1950s, Clos des Menuts only had one hectare. Today it extends over 25 hectares near the ramparts of Saint-Émilion, usually west of the commune. The Clos Des Menuts L'Excellence Saint Emilion Grand Cru is the top model of the beautiful Saint Emillion. L'Excellence is a blend of 90% Merlot; 10% Cabernet Franc which is made by the famous Bordeaux family Jean Pierre & Philippe RIVIÈRE and winemaker Stéphane De Renconcourt.

The ivory vineyard of L'Excelve is located in the heart of Saint-Emilion and measures only 5 Ha and is located on a sandy clay soil with hard loamy soil. No pesticides / weed killers are used. The grapes are carefully harvested by hand. The grapes are then gently crushed and fermented for a period of no less than 3 weeks in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine was then allowed to age in French oak (50% new and 50% 2nd year) for 18 months in the huge medieval cellars hollowed out of the rock under the heart of the village of Saint Emilion. More than 9 meters underground, the Clos des Menuts L'Excellence benefits from exceptional aging, at the ideal and constant temperature of 12 ° C. The monolithic cellars of the Clos des Menuts, dotted with old grain silos from the Middle Ages, are a highly appreciated attraction for the numerous visitors to the medieval city.

This Saint-Emilion is an absolute treat with its subtle blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. L'Excellence Clos des Menuts is a wine that can be stored for a very long time and certainly from the magical 'Bordeaux year' 2016. The wine is round and full, with delicate tannins. It is a very deeply colored red wine with a balanced, fruity nose and mouth. Tones of ripe grapes, with an elegant touch of wood, red fruit and cherry aromas with subtle tannins. Harmonious and elegant is a good summary. The wine has received 93-94 / 100 points from James Suckling. For a Saint Emilion Grandcru, this is a high-quality wine with a great good price.

2016:
JAMES SUCKLING: 93-94 / 100
«This is very beautiful with dark-berry and chocolate character. Medium body and
juicy fruit. This is fantastic! »
WINE ENTHUSIAST: 93/100
«Produced from the oldest vines on this estate, this is a ripe and concentrated wine. Aged for 18 months in wood, it has developed a powerful toast and spice character that is still dominant. But with the strong fruitiness and acidity, it will develop into an impressive wine. Drink from 2023. »Roger VOSS
VINIFERA: 
«Fruit coulis of a nice intensity. Great attack which opens on a long and silky
mouth, mellow finale on the fruit with a crunchy character. »