Jay Kline

9.6

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core and some moderate rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of ripe and slightly dried black and blue fruits: dark brambles, plum, fig, purple flowers, leather ball glove, something spicy and green that has me debating between rotundone or pyrazines (but which?), rocky earth and fine baking warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Alcohol is medium. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a beautifully made wine.

Initial conclusions: this could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend with associated Bordeaux varieties), Cabernet Franc, Merlot (blended with associated Bordeaux varieties) or Syrah from France, the US or Australia. This is older; probably 20+ years of age based on the secondary characteristics or dried fruit and old leather. While the fruit plays a starring role here, the alcohol seems almost modest so I can’t place this in Australia or the US. The problem I’m having, are there pyrazines or rotundone? I don’t get a lot of black pepper or animale, or olive for that matter…so I’m leaning towards this being Bordeaux. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with a blend of Bordeaux varieties, from France, Bordeaux, Pulliac, from a classified growth, 2004. Whoa!!! 2005 Clape?! What a treat! I feel like I should have nailed this wine. Alas…I still have to get better at differentiating between pyrazines and rotundone with age. Drink now with a decant, through 2045+ — 3 days ago

President Obama

9.1

Nice cuvee to support the guy who had grapes eaten by wild pigs. — 8 months ago

Jonas Nordin

9.0

Magnifique! — 3 years ago

Greg LaRosa

9.0

Had 2018 under quarantine on July 25, 2020. Liked it. Nice and crisp but not overly so. Mineral. Lush. — 6 years ago

Paul Petit

8.9

Thick disk, green light yellow colors, very dense and fat. Butter taste. Brioche. Encostique. Salty. Powerful matière. Can eat strong cheese (epouasse, Maroilles) — 8 years ago

John Asbury

9.4

Deep, rich and enveloped within a delicate creaminess here is a Northern Rhône white that deserves its praise. The fruit is soft and doesn’t overlay the mineral component. I really like this one. — 8 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This had lots of red & black fruits, still youthful that opens with air with notes of menthol, savory spices, mineral, floral & tobacco — 5 months ago

Brandon T

9.3

Medium body CdR. Jammier than expected. Lots of years ahead. — 7 months ago

OB

9.0

Deep, dry, and very fruity. — 7 months ago

President Obama

9.6

Bought it because the wine maker said wild pigs were eating his grapes. This is the top La Clape I'm told. A bit of tannins and delish. — 9 months ago

Rhonely Boy

9.3

70% Syrah, 30% Granache

Very nice, decanted for an hour, hosted, so no notes besides yummy and would totally purchase again. — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

GonAlo diaz — 6 years ago

Darren Clayson

9.1

My type of wine, herby soft and velvety — 8 years ago

Chuck Todd

9.2

A full body, well balanced, paired with beef Bourguignon
Fantastic — 6 months ago

with David

rp schaeffer

8.9

Full bodied — 7 months ago

Paul Masson

9.0

Nose is typical Clape, palate is a little thin and austere, in line with the 11.5% abv, but still a good companion for food and friends. — 7 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.5

Terrific blend of Syrah, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre. Elegant on the palate with blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, black cherry, red currant, violet, licorice and cedar. Just starting to show tertiary notes of leather, game and forest floor. Medium silky tannins and while the abv is 15% the wine doesn’t feel hot and has beautiful balance and an embracing, long finish. Great balance and finesse. Drinking beautifully now with 5-10 years ahead of it. — 10 months ago

David Koenen

8.9

Crispy and saline. Fresh raspberry fruit, finishes long and tasteful. I hereby declare that rose season is officially opened! — 5 years ago

Por La Vida

9.0

Subtle spice. Excellent body. Earthiness I crave. Paired beautifully with steak and frites. — 7 years ago

Carrie Bowden

9.0

Bright, balanced and good lingering mouthfeel — 8 years ago