1997 Domaine Clavel Coteaux du Languedoc La Copa Santa, $14.97, 13% alc.: This has really developed and is maturing well since the last time we had it, and perhaps surprisingly (or not), we found one last bottle in the same Marshfield, Massachusetts Blanchard’s outlet where we bought the previous one. Some rust has invaded the dark garnet color, all fading at the rim, and some nice secondary characteristics are starting to develop in both flavor and aroma, with smoke, leather and iron complementing the black and red plums and berries, with earth, underbrush and a wee bit of the barnyard in the background. Smooth, yet still well structured, with a good, long finish, it has an almost Châteauneuf du Pape-like personality; it may not yet be at its peak, and it’s certainly not likely to fade any time soon, and if I had any more, I’d pair it with a roasted leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic.
-From Wicked Couch & Spit
Reporting from Day-twah,
geo t.