A Merlot Dry Red Table wine from Puisseguin St Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Review by Robert Parker
Rating: (88-90)
Drink 2013 – 2023
The more limited production cuvée, the 2012 Clarisse Vieilles Vignes is made from 100% Merlot cropped at a low 22 hectoliters per hectare that was harvested October 13. Potentially superb, it exhibits a character similar to the regular cuvée, but everything is ratcheted up with more density, a more opaque color, and hints of chocolate mocha intermixed with strawberry and black cherry jam. This is a full-bodied, deep, impressive effort that should drink well for 6-10 years. A very good, possibly excellent wine, the 2012 Clarisse was cropped at 31 hectoliters per hectare, and made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The natural alcohol came in at 13.5% The general manager of the famous Bristol Hotel in Paris is the proprietor of this property, and Stéphane Derenoncourt is the consultant. Both wines are an exclusivity of American broker Jeffrey M. Davies.
