2007 Coteaux du Languedoc Las Flors

Richer and heavier than the top cuvee, the 2007 Las Flors, a blend of 37% Syrah, 47% Grenache, and 16% Mourvèdre that’s aged for 18 months in French oak, sports an inky, opaque color to go with full throttle aromatics of baked plums and cassis fruits, licorice, roast coffee, and charred earth. It improves over the evening with touches of garrigue, violets, and spice emerging, lending additional freshness and complexity to what would otherwise be a very dense, impenetrable wine. Full bodied on the palate and beautifully put together, with a palate staining, decadent texture, solid balance, and a bitter chocolate-laced, tannic finish, this is actually less approachable than the Les Terrasses du Larzac and needs cellaring. My guess is that this will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle, and then drink well for a decade afterwards. I may have liked this even more if I had not tasted it right next to the straight ’07 Les Terrasses du Larzac.

Syrah and Grenache with about 20% Mourvèdre.   Oaked. Very deep crimson. Light nose. Sweet start with a gentle texture but still quite a bit of firm fruit tannin. A brooding wine for superior barbecues. Alcohol, tar and liquorice on the finish. Not ready yet but there is both sweetness and freshness in this wine. Well done! Long. (JR)