Chateau L'Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin Rouge 2018
- Decanter
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James
Suckling
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Bright ruby. Nose is intense, dominated by aromas of spices and red fruits (strawberry). Silky and fine tannins underline a fruity freshness. Pair with lamb, game birds or ripened cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Fabulous smoky liquorice, molasses and tar contrast beautifully with lush bright fruit characters; enticing and persistent with a mouthwatering texture and a long, powerful finish.
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James Suckling
Black fruit, smoke, bay leaves and black olives on the nose with spicy undertones. Full-bodied, textured and structured, with firm tannins. Rather complex on the palate with a core of black fruit and a savory finish with length. A blend of syrah, grenache and mourvedre. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.
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Suckling -
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Wilfred
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator
Overlooking the Mediterranean, in the heart of the protected massif of La Clape, this estate proudly bears the fabric of the wines of the South. Its vocation was born in the 13th century. The estate then became the home of the hospices of Narbonne. When Gérard Bertrand acquired the estate in 2002, he chose to make it a Mecca for the Mediterranean art of living by combining culture, gastronomy and art in all its forms. With its 3-star hotel, its restaurant, its tasting cellar and its numerous oenological activities, he revives the Hospitalet's motto "sine vino, vana hospitalitas" (without wine, hospitality is futile). Throughout the year, this art of living keeps pace with the estate's agenda. Especially in summer for the Jazz Festival.
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.
Essentially a mountain on France’s Mediterranean coast, La Clape's vineyards vary in elevation by as much as nearly 1,000 feet. This tiny region also boasts some of France’s highest total hours of sunshine and produces aromatic whites from the Bourboulenc variety as well as full-bodied red blends from the usual Rhône suspects.