Chateau de la Negly La Porte du Ciel 2017 75cl

(The gates to Heaven) the jewel of Château La Negly, is essentially created from two types of vines found at the entrance to the domaine, these parcels that were planted in 2001 are located on sandy clay limestone soil which is particularly stony.

The severe pruning and the soil being close to the main rocks grants us vines with a low yield. Some bunches are removed and the remaining grapes are vigorously sorted at the cellar so that the yield rarely exceeds 15hl/ha. The grapes are then selected “one by one” after which we press the grapes and start the vinification, only the most beautiful grapes are used in a wooden conical vat of 55hl.

After a careful vatting process without further crushing of the grapes the wines will start the ageing process in new barrels of 225L for 24 months. La Porte du Ciel is considered as nectar by us, the fruit of colossal work which requires more than three days of combined harvesting and selection, bottles are rare, and a maximum of 3500 bottles will be made available on the best years.

"The Syrah-led 2017 La Clape La Porte du Ciel will spend two years in new barrels prior to bottling, yet it is so impressive now that I almost hate to wait. Perfumes of blueberries and garrigue leap from the glass, while the palate is full-bodied yet so, so supple and elegant, with tremendous persistence on the finish. If one wants to quibble, there's some warmth from the alcohol and vanilla from the oak, but there's plenty of materiel here and ample fruit for balance. As usual, this is a flavor-packed, pleasure-giving wine that represents just how good Languedoc wines can be, when made from great terroir and with fanatical attention to detail. Annual production hovers around 300 cases for the world, so grab some if you can.
94 -96 Points."
(Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, May 2019)

"The colour of dark blood. Smells like sticky, dark, still-bubbling-on-the-stove strawberry jam. Intense and massively sweet and just plain massive. Big big big. Hedonistic. Brocade and velvet and cherry chocolate. So much alcohol. But if you're up for that kind of wine, it will seduce.
Drink 2020-2024.
16 Points."
(Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com, March 2020)