Clos Lunelles 2023 is a serious Right Bank value wine from the Perse portfolio (same team as Pavie). In 2023 it shows strong concentration, ripe fruit depth, and modern polish, but with more openness and earlier drinkability than grand cru Saint-Émilion wines.
It is generally seen as a high-quality “almost Grand Cru” level Castillon, often outperforming its appellation.
Professional ratings (major critics)
- James Suckling: 93–94/100
- Jeb Dunnuck: 92–94/100
- Vinous (Galloni/Neal Martin): 90–93/100
- Wine Advocate: 91–93/100
- Decanter: ~92/100
- Falstaff: ~92–93/100
Consensus range: ~91–93 points, with highs to 94
Tasting profile (critic synthesis)
Aromas
- Black cherry, plum, blackberry
- Licorice, cocoa, spice box
- Violet, graphite, toasted oak
Palate
- Medium to full-bodied
- Ripe, plush Merlot-dominant core
- Supple tannins with modern extraction
- Good freshness for Castillon in 2023
- Slightly oak-influenced but balanced
Style notes
- Shares stylistic DNA with Pavie (same ownership influence)
- More approachable and earlier-drinking
- Focus on richness and texture over austerity
Drinking window
- Best: 2026–2034
- Designed for mid-term drinking, not long cellar aging
Bottom line
Clos Lunelles 2023 is:
- A strong Côtes de Castillon performer
- Typically 91–93 points (up to 94)
- Plush, ripe, and modern in style
- Excellent value for a “mini-Pavie” profile
94 pts Jeb Dunnuck
One of the best Castillons out there, the 2023 Clos Lunelles is based on 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 19 months in 50% new French oak. Red and black fruits, flowers, chalky, truffly earth, and spice are just some of its nuances, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a round, layered mouthfeel, the classic minerality of the appellation, and a great finish. It's brilliant today yet has another two decades of longevity ahead of it. Drink 2026-2045.
92-94pts The Wine Independent
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Clos Lunelles offers up compelling scents of juicy blueberries, black cherries, and fresh blackberries followed by hints of licorice, dark chocolate, and tar. The full-bodied palate is dense and plush, with wonderful tension and a spicy lift on the finish. The blend is 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with pH 3.63.
92-94pts The Wine Cellar Insider
Flowers, licorice, spice, chocolate-coated black cherries, mint, and black plums get the aromatics going. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, with a salty, black with red fruit core of ripe, sweet, fresh berries. The salty-chocolate fruits linger on the palate, and in the finish with their mineral-driven essence. The wine was made from blending 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc, 14.42% ABV, 3.63 pH. Drink from 2028-2040.
92-93pts James Suckling
A juicy red with hints of salt and pepper to the blackberries and blueberries. Medium-bodied, crunchy and pretty. Precise and bright.
91-93pts Vinous
The 2023 Clos Lunelles is a powerful, deep wine. A blast of dark-toned fruit, spice, menthol, chocolate, herbs and dried flowers infuse the palate with notable depth. Clean saline notes extend the finish. There's a bit more Cabernet Franc in the blend, and that comes through in the wine's flavor profile and overall feel. This is a fine vintage for Clos Lunelles.
-Antonio Galloni
90pts Decanter
Gorgeous aromatics, fragrant and expressive. Almost chewy on the palate, present but velvety soft tannins, lovely ripe blackcurrant and red cherry fruit but with crisp fruit and a clean vein of minerality and salinity through the middle. Fresh and characterful with some body and bite. Nice purity to the expression. Approachable and fun. A little lean and spicy towards the finish. Ageing 50% new oak, 50% one year barrels.
History
