1998 Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Porte du Ciel
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The spectacular 1998 Coteaux du Languedoc La Porte du Ciel was fashioned entirely from Syrah harvested at 14 hectoliters per hectare. Each bunch was destemmed by hand and crushed by foot. The wine's alcoholic fermentation lasted 40 days, after which it was placed in new Seguin-Moreau barrels. In short, this wine was produced in an uncompromising manner. Its awesomely elegant and complex nose is composed of cassis liqueur and candied red raspberries. On the palate, it is massive, powerful, hugely intense, yet refined. Full-bodied, crammed with sur-maturite-laced red and black fruit flavors, this benchmark-setting Languedoc combines the embracing warmth often associated with the wines of this region with the nobility and class generally attributed to more highly touted viticultural areas. Readers who adore Syrah or cherish profound wine should not miss this one. Projected maturity: 2002-2012. Importer: Jeffrey Davies Signature Selections, West Nyack, NY; tel (845) 353-8767.
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Average Score
Pierre Rovani
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The spectacular 1998 Coteaux du Languedoc La Porte du Ciel was fashioned entirely from Syrah harvested at 14 hectoliters per hectare. Each bunch was destemmed by hand and crushed by foot. The wine's alcoholic fermentation lasted 40 days, after which it was placed in new Seguin-Moreau barrels. In short, this wine was produced in an uncompromising manner. Feb 2000, www.robertparker.com
Full ruby. Knockout nose combines blackberry, violet, smoked meat, bitter chocolate, flowers and new oak scents. Lush and compellingly sweet in the mouth, with pliant blackberry flavor. Very dense and smooth. Finishes with excellent persistence and thoroughly ripe tannins. This got a week-long cold soak under CO2, then a three-week fermentation and two more weeks on the skins. It will be racked only for the second time prior to the bottling in December.