Despite rather frequent purchases of wine from the Languedoc-Rousillon, I have very few Languedoc posts, and they seem to be limited to Pic Saint-Loup wines. Today's wine comes from the Coteaux du Languedoc appelation. Purchased 2 1/2 years ago, I bought this wine because of the fame of the house and the strength of the vintage, but also because I had enjoyed their less expensive "Les Garrigues" in the past.For the 2001 Domaine Clavel "Copa Santa", the nose was very grenache. Very spicy (pepper, nutmeg) and musky with a big, black cherry smell, followed by floral and cocoa scents. It developed very nicely over the evening, later showing some rather meaty scents - complex, interesting, evolving.
On the palate the Copa was rich and full-bodied, with gobs of fruit, chocolate, and velvety tannins. Well balanced, but very extracted - this is a modern-styled Languedoc wine. Excellent winemaking, but a bit heavy for our veal cutlets. This wine definitely has the stuffing to go a few more years, and should further soften up.
Score: 17/20
Cost: $24
Grenache, Shiraz
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4 comments:
Yum yum. It was very hard for me to come to terms with the fact that would not be getting anyu of Clavel's "Les Clous" 2001. I would have to take a full case because it was sold directly from Rezin and that would mean a bill way way up in the triple digits. No deal.
Alas, so I stick to the Copa Santa which in 2002 was surprisingly good -- perhaps because it was less extracted. I still have one left. It's a charmer. I think I bought about a dozen of them last year when the SAQ store I was at affixed them with the "Garrigues" price stickers. You can't argue with province's accurate pricing policy. What a deal!
Never dealt with the distributors directly - any success with that? Well done picking the Copa up at Garrigues prices. I once picked up a Bordeaux that was mis-priced by about $20 a bottle - they marked a 2000 vintage at the price of the 2002...love that government run monopoly
I love these stories and the people who aren't ashamed to tell them. Nice going!
I admit that sometimes I like the deal more than I like the wine that comes with it but that's okay, isn't it?
The Copa is very good, despite being 2002. Been to Rezin tastings but never bought directly through them because it's all done by the case with no mixing allowed. A bit harsh for someone my speed. Maybe I'll catch up on that front eventually.
I never buy by the case - I hate having so much of one wine (even if I like it, because it prevents me from trying something new). I would buy the 2002 if I could get the "les Garrigues" discount...
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