“Clavis Oréa”
a brand new Saint-Emilion Grand Cru showing a promising debut…
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| Clavis Orea Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Label @LeDomduVin |
Clavis Orea is the brand new project of two men passionate
about wine:
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| Lahcene Boutouba (Picture courtesy of his Facebook profile 😉) |
Lahcene Boutouba
A knowledgeable Sommelier who has been working very closely
with restaurants, wineries, producers and even negociants for the past 28 years,
including working for Michel Rolland and more recently working for/with
Jean-Luc Thunevin
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| Franck Jugelmann (Picture courtesy of Copains d'Avant) |
Franck Jugelmann
A talented Maitre de Chai / Consultant (winemaker) that has sharpened his skills and craftsmanship over the
years since 1992 by working for illustrious Chateaux such as Landiras, Haut-Brion, Mission Haut-Brion, Lagarosse, Candale, Roallan, Rocheron, Belair, L'Enclos et Fonplegade
Except his name, I do not know Franck, but his background and experiences lead me to think that he is a very competent and talented winemaker.
As for Lahcene Boutouba, he is an
old friend from my London years, back in the mid-90s,
when we both were Sommelier in the English Capital restaurant scene.
Fairly recently, Lahcene contacted me and briefly talked to me about his new wine project “Clavis Orea”
(“Clef d’Or” in French or “Golden Key” in English) with Franck Jugelmann.
Both inclined to quality and
aiming to succeed, they have carefully selected the grapes from specific
vineyards around the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Appellation in order to craft their
wine.
NB: Read more details on the "Clavis Orea" description sheet (PDF Doc) Lahcene sent me by clicking here
I could sense that Lahcene was
very excited and almost impatient for the world to discover his wine.
He told me that
he will send me 2 samples of their first Vintage (2015) for me to taste them
with the team of the wine division of the company I work for and also the
Sommeliers of the various restaurants the company owns, more especially “Le Pan Apicius” and “Dynasty Garden”.
The samples arrived about 2 weeks
ago, yet, on the suggestion of Lahcene, I waited at least a week for them to
settle down after their DHL trip from France to Hong Kong.
In fact, I have waited
two weeks and just opened them today, a few hours ago, after previously taking
them out of the wine fridge where I have placed them to rest in ideal
temperature and humidity conditions to recover from traveling.
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| Clavis Orea Cork in the Bottle ©LeDomduVin |
After taking a few pictures
of the bottles, I uncorked the bottles and was really pleasantly surprised by
the refined and agreeable perfume of this wine that immediately impregnated the
surrounding air.
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| Clavis Orea Cork ©LeDomduVin |
I pour myself a glass. Looked
at the dense and opaque color. Swirled the glass a little. Inclined it to look
at the color and density of the legs. Put it back to my nose. Inhaled a few
times, analyzing the various components of the aromas. Then I tasted it…. Once,
twice, three times… analyzing each detail from beginning to the end, long
lasting ending I must admit….
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| Clavis Orea Opened bottle with Glass ©LeDomduVin |
Then I left the glass alone
for at least half an hour as well as the bottle uncorked for the wine to
breathe before going back to it for a second round.
I took my time for the second
round to immerse myself into it as I like to do it usually when tasting wine…
Here is what I can say about this wine:
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| Clavis Orea within the glass ©LeDomduVin |
2015 Clavis Oréa Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France
Approximate retail price
23-25 Euros (750ml) available in France and UK (so far)
Fresh, perfumed fruity nose right after opening, offering very
enticing fruity aromas of dark and dark red berries mingling with floral and
slightly spicy, peppery notes with a dash of oak (coffee/mocha/tobacco) and
pain d’épices nuances.
It boasts a dark
and concentrated color in the glass, usually a
sign of a substantial wine.
The palate is clean, focused and racy, opening up with dark fruits enhanced by a
refreshing acidity, then build up into more dry dark berries, oak, earth,
spices in the mid-palate balanced by the acidity and structured all along by youthful tannins lasting towards the long
(slightly dry) finish. Overall, a very well made and promising wine, which
combines balance, structure, and texture
from beginning to the end with a pleasing, juicy and refreshing attitude. Although
approachable now, this wine will
definitely benefit from 3-5 years in the
bottle.
The tannins are fairly well integrated already and not aggressive for such a young wine. Yet, they will
need a few more years to get more rounded
and integrated, as they are still quite present on the tongue and the gum in
the finish, bringing a slight touch of bitterness, which should mellow down
with more time in the bottle. After all
this a 2015 vintage sample.
Lahcene and Franck, BRAVO! For this very promising wine at a very reasonable price. A beautiful new project
to keep an eye on.
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| Franck Jugelmann & Lahcene Boutouba |
Santé,
Dominique Noel a.k.a. LeDomduVin
A recommended article to discover a bit more this "Clavis Orea" project
And a tasting video (in French)
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| Clavis Orea Back label ©LeDomduVin |
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Thank you for this review. Opened one back in 2017 and decided to cellar the rest. Opening one this evening to see how things are coming along. Let's find out!
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