Winemaker Notes
Clos d'Ora is distinguished by its brilliant deep ruby color. Its character, powerful and elegant, is revealed on the palate by intense aromas of black fruits and subtle, melted tannins. Thanks to its sophisticated vinification and maturation, Clos d'Ora benefits from a remarkable amplitude and length in the mouth. Clos d'Ora is an exceptional wine with great ageing potential.
Best served with grilled red meats, marbled prime rib.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Berries, milk chocolate, menthol, grilled herbs and tapenade on the nose. Medium body with polished tannins. It’s round and mellow with a supple character. Some spices, too. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The top of the line at Bertrand comes from a nine-hectare portion of his estate in Minervois. The 2017 Minervois la Liviniere Clos d'Ora boasts slightly resinous scents of local garrigue, cedary oak and mixed berries on the nose. Full-bodied, lush and velvety, it's nevertheless a bit open-knit and coarse on the long finish, showing ample concentration, power and intensity, but perhaps a certain lack of elegance this vintage. Certified biodynamic.
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.
Granted its own appellation within Minervois in the Languedoc region of France, Minervois La Livinière takes its name from cella vinaria, Latin for ‘wine cellar.’ In the hilly northern end of Minervois, the altitude and dense, rocky limestone soils of La Liviniere produce quality red Rhône Blends made from Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Carignan.