| 2007-11-24 22:08 |
WA: Through ruthless control of yields, meticulous selectivity, and a relentlessly envelope-pushing approach to ripening their fruit and extracting its flavors, Jean Paux-Rosset and his oenologist Claude Gros have over the past decade set new standards for the entire Languedoc, not just their La Clape neighborhood. The Negly 2005 Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape La Falaise – from Syrah with 35% Grenache and 15% Mourvedre, treated to 50-days maceration and 50% new barriques – offers a creme de cassis, blackberry jam nose; amazing textural creaminess and richness of ripe black fruits with roasted meatiness and huge, heady florality in the mouth; and a lush, sweet, enveloping finish. This is so flamboyant and imposingly plush that some will be tempted to write it off as a mere fruit bomb, but the texture and perfume as well as the absence of heat or overt oakiness on exhibit here (only the beneficial effects of surmaturite and wood are evident) represent impressive achievements. It should benefit from at least 2-3 years in bottle, though it is ready to enjoy tonight. Imported by Jeffrey Davies Signature Selections, Highland Park, IL; tel. (847) 403-7215 |