Clos de l'Oratoire

Clos de l'Oratoire is a Bordeaux wine from the appellation Saint-Émilion, ranked Grand cru classé in the Classification of Saint-Émilion wine. The winery is located in the Right Bank of France’s Bordeaux wine region in the commune of Saint-Émilion, in the department Gironde.

History

The estate dates back to the mid-19th century, created by the Beylot family, a firm of Libourne négociants.^[1] Since its origin, this vineyard has been run in close conjunction with its larger neighbour, Peyraud which came to be Château Peyrau.^[1][2] Identified as having the best parcels, Clos de l'Oratoire was separated from Peyrau, and by the 1969 reclassification of Saint-Émilion, Clos de l'Oratoire was ranked Grand Cru Classé.^[1][2]

In 1972 shares were bought in the estates by Joseph-Hubert, Graf von Neipperg, and in 1991 passed control to his son Comte Stephan von Neipperg who bought the remaining 30% from the other investors.^[3] Von Neipperg's other properties include Château Canon-la-Gaffelière and the "super-cuvée" La Mondotte.^[2] The oenologist Stéphane Derenoncourt is retained as consultant.

Production

The vineyard area extends 10.3 hectares with the grape varieties of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the Grand vin Clos de l'Oratoire there is a typically an annual production of 4,000 cases.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Peppercorn, David (2003). Bordeaux. London: Mitchell Beazley. pp. 452. ISBN 1-84000-927-6. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} Kissack, Chris, thewinedoctor.com. "Clos de l'Oratoire". http://www.thewinedoctor.com/bordeaux/closdeloratoire.shtml. 
3. ^ Schoenfeld, Bruce, Wine Spectator (February 22, 2006). "Armed With Charm". http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/0,1197,3133,00.html. 

External links

• Clos de l'Oratoire official site (French) (English) (German)