Sommige mensen hebben een tuin die groter is: deze piepkleine wijngaard is maar 1,3 hectare groot. De bodem bestaat uit kalk en klei, en werd beplant met 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc en 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Eigenares Sophie Fourcade woont hiermee op de kleinste Grand Cru Classé van Saint Emilion. Die is zo klein in feite dat de gisting volledig op vat gebeurt. Dit heet dan een micro-cuvée. De expressieve neus belooft een intens rijpe en zachte wijn. Na de frisse en precieze eerste indruk in de mond wordt de belofte waargemaakt in majestueuze tannine met rokerige en getoaste toetsen. Consulent Michel Rolland wist de fijnbesnaarde en droge tannine een weelderig karakter te geven. Mooie, moderne wijn!
IN DE PERS
93 Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate - robertparker.com (Maart 2018)
The 2015 Clos St. Martin has a similar bouquet to the Les Grandes Murailles with that peppermint scent, albeit here more controlled and there is better definition. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet, ripe tannin, candied orange peel and marmalade, effervescent red fruit with a persistent finish. Give this 4 or 5 years because this is a very classy offering from a small gem of a vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2021 - 2045.
90-92 Neal Martin – The Wine Advocate Issue #224 – erobertparker.com (April 2016)
The 2015 Clos St Martin, the diminutive estate that was sold back to Sophie Fourcade by the Cuvelier family, is a blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. There was some reduction on the nose when I tasted the sample, though the palate is lush, powerful and sensual with layers of blackberry, raspberry and truffle, leading to a well-defined, kirsch and dried orange peel finish that feels as if it was pushed a little too much. It is a satisfying Clos Saint Martin - I wonder if it could have been even better? Drink: 2020-2045.
91-92 James Suckling – jamessuckling.com (Maart 2016)
Very fine, silky and refined with blueberry and blackberry character. Hints of asphalt. Medium body. Pretty.
94 Antonio Galloni - vinous.com (Februari 2018)
Sophie Fourcade's 2015 Clos Saint Martin has turned out beautifully. Dense, pliant and impeccably layered, it also offers a good bit of freshness to play off the sweet red stone fruit flavors. I especially like the brightness here, especially in 2015, where it is easy for wines to be out of balance. A closing flourish of sweet red cherry and raspberry fruit leaves a lasting impression. Tasted three times. Drink 2023-2040.
91-94 Antonio Galloni – Vinous - vinous.com (April 2016)
Sophie Fourcade's 2015 Clos Saint Martin, is the smallest Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion and also one of the most intriguing wines of the vintage. Because of the tiny size of this parcel (just over one hectare), the fruit was fermented entirely in barrel. Unctuous, rich and silky on the palate, the 2015 is wonderfully polished and captivating, with lovely brightness to its red-fleshed fruit and tons of nuance to match. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. Tasted two times.
93 Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate - robertparker.com (Februari 2018)
Blended of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Clos St. Martin displays a medium to deep garnet-purple color and is scented of plum preserves, blackberry pie, wild blueberries and incense with touches of unsmoked cigars and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with vibrant, well-delineated black fruit layers with alluring red fruit accents and a firm frame of velvety tannins, finishing long and lively. Drink 2019-2035.
16/20 Jancis Robinson – jancisrobinson.com (April 2016)
90% Merlot with 5% of each Cabernet. Clay limestone on limestone bedrock. Mid crimson. Rather luscious mulberry fruit on the nose. Very sweet on palate entry - arguably just a bit too sweet to be refreshing. Drink: 2022-2030.
90 James Lawther - Decanter Magazine – decanter.com (April 2016)
Micro-cru of 1.3ha. Very ripe and weighty (on the limit of being over-ripe) and full of damson, cherry and a hint of jam. Palate sweet, suave and packed with fruit. Freshness of the limestone terroir just pulls it back into balance. Drink: 2022-2035.
88 Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast winemag.com (Februari 2018)
Almost completely Merlot, this red-fruit-driven wine is permeated by a toasty character that needs to soften. The freshness of the vintage and balanced fruit and acidity are developing well. Drink from 2023.
88 Tim Atkin – timatkin.com (April 2016) Clos Saint MartinClos Saint Martin is een pareltje van een Grand Cru Classé. Het is de "bijou" van eigenares Mevrouw Sophie Fourcade. Clos Saint Martin is net als Lafleur in Pomerol een "vignoble-jardin". Er worden om en beide 2.400 flessen geproduceerd op deze piepkleine wijngaard van 1,25 hectare die gelegen is net buiten de vestingen van Saint Emilion. De aanplantingen bestaan voor twee derden uit Merlot, de rest is Cabernet Sauvignon en een tiende Cabernet Franc. FourcadeSophie Fourcade is de charmante eigenares van Clos Saint Martin. Vroeger bezat ze ook Grandes Murailles en Côte de Baleau, maar deze wijngaarden werden verkocht aan de familie Cuvelier van het naburige Clos Fourtet (en Poujeaux in Moulis). Clos Saint Martin behield ze vooral omwille van de emotionele band die ze ermee heeft: de piepkleine wijngaard grenst aan het kerkhof waar haar zoon is begraven. Hij werd nog geen dertig jaar. Michel Rolland adviseert Mevrouw Fourcade in zijn rol als consulent. Zij is een dame met smaak en de wijnen evenaren haar stijlvereisten: vooral 2000, 2005 en 2009 zijn grandioze wijnen. De 2005 haalde een opmerkelijke parkerscore van 97+. | 
