France · Bordeaux

Chateau Clos de Sarpe

Chateau Clos de Sarpe is a small Right Bank estate in Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe, owned by the Beyney family and farming roughly 2.5 hectares of clay-limestone soils near the plateau of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes. The vineyard is planted predominantly to Merlot with a smaller Cabernet Franc component. At auction, 145 lots have traded at an average of $90 per bottle, with prices reaching $598. Clos de Sarpe achieved Grand Cru Classe status and has maintained consistent critical attention from Bordeaux specialists including Neal Martin and James Suckling, with strong vintages such as 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2018 regularly scoring in the 93-96 range. The estate's limited production — typically under 5,000 bottles per year — means auction is a significant secondary channel. The $598 ceiling reflects magnums or top vintages from celebrated Bordeaux years. The wine is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel with elevage in new French oak barrels (50-60% new) for 14-18 months.