Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The inky purple 2012 La Clape Classique is an outstanding blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre. It exhibits plenty of sweet red fruits, new leather, spice and licorice to go with a silky, easy drinking, yet elegant and balanced profile on the palate. Completely destemmed and brought up all in vats, it should drink nicely for 4-5 years. It also represents a smoking value.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Essentially a mountain on France’s Mediterranean coast, La Clape's vineyards vary in elevation by as much as nearly 1,000 feet. This tiny region also boasts some of France’s highest total hours of sunshine and produces aromatic whites from the Bourboulenc variety as well as full-bodied red blends from the usual Rhône suspects.