Winemaker Notes
Nicely complements cold cuts, red grilled meats or in sauce, cheeses.
Blend: 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Leading off the reds, and a terrific value, the 2014 Languedoc-La Clape Classique checks in as a mix of 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was completely destemmed and aged 12 months in tank. Winemaker Eric Fabre commented that the harvest here was spread out over a full two months to get each block at the maturity they wanted. It offers pretty, classic La Clape notes of iodine, black raspberries, crushed flowers and olive as well as a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced and character-filled style. Count me a fan and I’d happily drink it anytime over the coming 4-5 years. It lacks the complexity and length of the Grand Vin, but gives you a solid taste of the style of this estate for not much buck.
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.