1988 Clos de Sarpe
Buying options
Tasting Notes
The 1988 vintage offered few challenges and is a fairly classic year. It comes from the era when Clos de Sarpe was all whole-bunch fermented and saw no oak (aged only in concrete). There was a slight mustiness to this wine at first, but gradually the wine revealed its true character, with sweet, dried fruit and intense, savoury notes – an umami richness reminiscent of marmite. There is still surprising structure and power here, although the wine isn’t quite as concentrated as the 1998, for example. The acidity keeps things fresh, with the scent of truffle and undergrowth lingering on the finish. Blend: 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc
Critic Scores
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Even better, the 1988 Château Clos de Sarpe is medium to full-bodied, ripe, textured, and downright silky, with terrific notes of tobacco, cedary herbs, chocolate, leafy herbs, and earthy black fruits. The tannins are sweeter, and the wine is balanced, with plenty of mid-palate depth and a great finish. Drink bottle anytime over the coming 15-20 years.
About the producer
This small Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé estate is a FINE+RARE favourite. Run by Maylis Marcenat, the fourth generation of her family to do so, the 3.7-hectare vineyard has old vines and limestone soils, producing wines of incredible freshness and great ageability.