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Chateau de la Negly

The important names at Chateau de la Negly, in the La Clape subregion of the Coteaux du Languedoc, are Rosset and Chamontin. Cyril Chamontin is the winemaker, but there is much input from owner Jean-Paul Rosset. Together they take advice from consultant Claude Gros. They make a very effective trio, producing one of the most stunning range of wines available from anywhere in the Languedoc. Rosset's family have owned Chateau de la Negly for decades, using it as a holiday retreat. The vines at the back were regarded by Rosset's father as a minor source of income, rather than the starting point for world-class wines that Jean-Paul saw. The property was run on a shoestring, and the vines were cropped for every grape they could give. Yields were tremendously high, interest low, and the wine faithfully accepted by the local co-operative every year. Some time following the death of his father, Rosset's mother handed control to Jean-Paul, and the focus changed from quantity to quality. Yields were reduced, strict quality controls - such as a sorting table - were implemented, new fermenting equipment and barriques were purchased.

Rosset stopped sending grapes to the co-operative, and now bottles a range of cuvées at the property. And the resulting products are, put simply, brilliant. For the most part they are also very fairly priced, although admittedly Rosset's top cuvée Porte du Ciel carries a price tag more usually associated with Bordeaux or Burgundy than with the Languedoc. (7/1/04)

Contact details:
Address: 11560 Fleury d'Aude
Telephone: +33 (0) 4 68 32 36 28
Fax: +33 (0) 4 68 32 10 69

Chateau de la Negly - Tasting Notes

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Chateau de la Negly Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Blanc 'Brise Marine' 2002: A lovely lemon-gold hue. Great nose, of lemon butter with a tropical edge, with aromas of hazelnut and mealy honeycomb as well. Lovely palate, richly textured, but with piles of grip and an appealing bitter, quinine-like edge of acidity. Plenty of structure and some good texture, with an oily note. Delicious, no doubt with the potential to age. 16.5+/20 (January 2004)

Chateau de la Negly Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Blanc 2001: A rich, golden colour here. The nose is showing aromas of mealy oak and buttercream, with a refined note of hazelnuts. A full, rich, grippy palate, which even has a touch of tannin, and a lovely sweet hazelnut flavour. There's plenty of alcohol, and a strong, attractively bitter finish which only adds to the impact. This has great purity, finesse and terroir. Simply lovely. 16.5/20 (January 2004)

Chateau de la Negly Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape 'La Falaise' 2001: This wine has a dark, inky, youthful colour. A lovely intensity of blackberry fruit, with juniper berries, black pepper and smouldering wood smoke on the nose. Beautifully integrated palate, a creamy texture, with nice extract. This all surrounds a core of ripe but grippy tannins and firm acidity. This wine has an awful lot going on, and is a delight to drink. It will be even better in two to three years. 16.5+/20 (January 2004)