Clos de l’Oratoire is a 25-acre Grand Cru estate in the appellation of St.-Emilion, in Bordeaux. It is owned by Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg, a family of military leaders and wine estate owners originally from Germany, where the family’s winemaking history goes back to the 12th century. In 1971 the family purchased four estates in St.-Emilion, and several of them, including this one, are run by Stephan von Neipperg. Vineyards are planted to 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Some 40,000 bottles are produced each year. There is no second wine. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “Stephan von Neipperg …has pushed this wine’s quality into St.-Emilion’s top echelon.”