Vignobles Siozard, Château Du Claouset Bordeaux Superieur Rouge, 2018
Vignobles Siozard, Château Du Claouset Bordeaux Superieur Rouge, 2018
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Malbec, Merlot
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2029
About Vignobles Siozard, Château Du Claouset Bordeaux Superieur Rouge, 2018
Le Claouset, a humble hamlet in the village of Lugaignac and anchor of the Siozard family, means in Gascon dialect, “the little clos”. In 1830, the first generation settled in this garden. Today, most of the farm buildings are located at Claouset. The Claouset vineyard is the oldest of the Siozard family, however it is today a field of experimentation for the re-establishment of old Bordeaux grape varieties and the creation of new blends.
A supple wine with a pleasant red fruit bouquet, spices and tobacco. Round tannins in mouth and a beautiful length. Wine of thirst, it will perfectly match with your meats or pork-butcheries.
"Benchmark Bordeaux here, with bags of red fruit on the nose, some spice and tobacco. The palate shows great concentration, with lovely purity to the fruit framed by supple tannins, leading to a long, satisfying finish. Pair with a steak and off you go!",
Our note
At eight years old, this wine is drinking beautifully now, with primary fruit still vibrant but beginning to integrate with secondary complexity. The spice and tobacco character will continue to develop over the next few years, whilst the supple tannins provide a framework for graceful ageing. We'd expect it to hold its charm until 2029, though the fresh fruit character that makes it so appealing now will gradually give way to more savoury, evolved flavours. This isn't a wine that demands decades of cellaring - it's built for drinking and enjoying.
Food Pairings
In Bordeaux, this would be the natural partner for entrecôte à la bordelaise, where the wine's fruit and spice complement the shallot and bone marrow sauce perfectly. Local charcuterie features heavily - think duck confit, boudin noir, and the region's excellent pâtés, all of which marry beautifully with the wine's tobacco and spice character. Lamb from the nearby Pauillac meadows, simply roasted with herbs, would be another classic pairing, whilst the local fondness for mushroom dishes, particularly cèpes, finds perfect harmony with the wine's earthy undertones.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-18°C to let the fruit shine whilst maintaining the wine's structure. No need to decant unless you enjoy the ritual - this wine is approachable and well-integrated. A standard Bordeaux glass will serve you well, allowing the aromas to concentrate whilst providing enough bowl to swirl and appreciate the wine's development.
The Claouset vineyard sits in the commune of Lugaignac, where clay-limestone soils provide the water retention essential for Merlot whilst offering enough drainage to ripen Cabernet varieties properly. The Atlantic influence moderates temperatures, allowing for slow, even ripening that builds concentration without losing freshness. These soils, combined with the family's long understanding of their land, create wines with both immediate charm and the structure to age gracefully.
Bordeaux Supérieur sits a rung above basic Bordeaux, requiring lower yields, higher alcohol minimums, and longer ageing before release. The appellation covers the entire Gironde but attracts serious producers who want to showcase quality without the premium of the famous communes. Where basic Bordeaux can be simple and immediate, Bordeaux Supérieur demands more concentration and complexity, making it the sweet spot for discovering proper Bordeaux character at sensible prices.
The 2018 growing season in Bordeaux delivered exactly what vignerons pray for: a long, warm summer that ripened both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to perfection without the punishing heat that can shut down the vines. After a wet spring that had everyone fretting about mildew, the weather gods smiled with consistent sunshine and just enough rain to keep the vines happy. The harvest stretched into October under glorious conditions, allowing producers to pick each parcel at optimal ripeness rather than racing against the clock.
What emerged from the cellars shows Bordeaux at its most seductive: wines with immediate charm that don't sacrifice depth or aging potential. The Left Bank Cabernets have that lovely cassis purity we adore, while Right Bank Merlots are plush and welcoming without being flabby. These aren't the austere, intellectual wines that demand decades of patience, but rather bottles that reward both early drinking and cellaring. Most are singing beautifully now, though the best will happily evolve until 2035 and beyond.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Red fruit leads with spice and tobacco, supple tannins, and a long satisfying finish - benchmark Bordeaux that's both elegant and approachable.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect now until 2035. It's drinking beautifully today but has the structure to develop more complexity over the next decade.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Classic with steak, lamb, or duck confit. The spice and tobacco character also works brilliantly with charcuterie and mature cheeses.
Do I need to decant this wine?
No need to decant - it's well-integrated and ready to pour. Serve at 16-18°C in a standard wine glass.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
It will age gracefully until 2035, developing more savoury complexity, but it's built for drinking pleasure rather than long-term cellaring.
How does Bordeaux Supérieur differ from regular Bordeaux?
Higher quality requirements - lower yields, longer ageing, and more concentration. It's the sweet spot for discovering proper Bordeaux character at sensible prices.
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