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Clos Saint-Julien is a hidden gem in the Saint-Émilion appellation, located on the prestigious limestone plateau, one of the region’s most revered terroirs. The estate, spanning just 1.2 hectares, is a family-run venture overseen by Catherine Papon-Nouvel, who also manages Château Petit Gravet Aîné. Despite its small size, Clos Saint-Julien consistently delivers exceptional wines, thanks to a perfect combination of ancient vines, organic farming practices, and meticulous winemaking.

The vineyard is planted with an equal blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, with the Merlot vines in particular being quite old—some are approaching 80 years of age. This age gives the wine its deep complexity and refined character, with the vines benefiting from the limestone-rich soils, which provide excellent drainage and contribute to the wine’s characteristic minerality.

The 2022 vintage was particularly challenging, with intense heat and drought conditions that affected much of Bordeaux. However, Clos Saint-Julien, perched on its elevated plateau, weathered the conditions better than many other estates. The result is a wine that is both powerful and graceful, balancing intense dark fruit, chocolate, and licorice notes with more delicate nuances of lavender, menthol, and a hint of iron. This vintage exhibits remarkable concentration and energy, with fine tannins and an exceptional long, sustained finish.

With only about 400 cases produced annually, Clos Saint-Julien remains a rare and highly sought-after wine, especially after it was officially classified as Grand Cru Classé in the 2022 Saint-Émilion classification.

The 2022 Clos Saint-Julien is a remarkable expression of Saint-Émilion’s limestone terroir, combining bold, dark fruit with fine-grained tannins and a persistent finish that promises long-term aging potential. It is a wine for collectors and enthusiasts looking to enjoy the best of what this exceptional region has to offer.

The 2022 vintage showcased this philosophy perfectly. Despite intense heat and drought that challenged vineyards across Bordeaux, Calicem emerged triumphant. Wine Spectator's 97-point assessment of the vintage confirms what the estate already knew: "A beautiful vintage. Merlot berries were small and concentrated; Cabernet Franc also relished the conditions. Wines are very aromatic and sleek, with Pomerol and St.-Emilion excelling."

Aging: Aged in 100% new French oak barrels.

50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Franc. A rich, concentrated Saint-Émilion with aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and boysenberries, intertwined with notes of chocolate, licorice, and lavender. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, fleshy fruit complemented by chalky tannins and a hint of iron. The finish is long, sustained, and persistent, offering a harmonious balance of intensity and freshness. A wine of power and elegance, it has the potential to age beautifully over the next 15+ years.