1998 Languedoc Reds Blindtasted

One of the oldest wine regions in the world is the Languedoc region in southern France. Originally planted by the Greeks in the second century BC, it was a major wine region during the Roman rule in the first two centuries AD, and has remained an active winegrowing region ever since.

The 1998 vintage was warm, but much more balanced than the extreme heat vintages of recent years. Many view it as the best vintage in the region in the past 30+ years.

The 1998 vintage was a watershed year in Languedoc. The effects of top new winemakers and an infusion of cash had been underway for several years. Professional wine reviews were beginning to notice the results and following the best wineries. This, combined with an outstanding 1998 vintage expanded the attention of the wine world to Languedoc, and it has remained in the spotlight ever since.

• 1998 Domaine d'Aupilhac Vin de Pays des Gorges de l'Hérault Les Plôs de Baumes 90 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Vin de Pays des Gorges de l'Hérault

  Group's #1 (my #2) – 13 pts; 3 1st place votes, 2 2nd place vote, 0 thirds, 0 last places – dark red violet color; intriguing herbal, black fruit, sage and lavender nose; mature, tart black fruit, tart berry, sage and lavender palate; medium finish 90+ pts.

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• 1998 Mas Champart Saint-Chinian 91 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Saint-Chinian

  Group's #2 (my #1) – 17 pts; 1, 2, 0, 0 - dark red violet color; clove, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, graphite nose with some VA; good tart berry, black fruit, blackberry, spice and pepper palate with depth; medium-plus finish

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• 1998 Domaine Clavel Coteaux du Languedoc La Méjanelle Copa Santa 88 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc La Méjanelle

  Group's #3 (my #3) – 18 pts; 1, 0, 3, 0 - dark red violet color; a little VA, black fruit, licorice and berry nose; a little hot, fruit has largely dropped out, but there's a little black fruit echo with licorice and a touch of charcoal; medium finish 88+ pts. (80% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre)

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• 1998 Château Laquirou Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape Les Ausines 88 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape

  Group's #4 (my #4) – 23 pts; 1, 1, 1, 1 - slightly bricking medium red violet color; big, roasted coffee, green tobacco, mineral and earthy nose; similar on palate, mature but still dense, roasted tobacco, coffee palate with green notes; medium finish

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• 1998 Château de Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Cuvée Prestige 83 Points

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes

  Group's #5 (my #6) – 28 pts; 0, 0, 2, 0 - Opaque dark red violet color; thin black fruit, smoke and roasted meat nose; tart black fruit, without much fruit, and smoke palate; short drying finish

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• 1998 Château Laquirou Coteaux du Languedoc Le Champ Rouge 87 Points

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc

  Group's #6 (my #5) – 34 pts; 0, 0, 0, 2 - medium red violet color with pale meniscus; garrigue, thyme, dried berry and lavender nose; mature, tart berry, black fruit, garrigue, pepper and sage palate, fades after an hour in the glass; medium finish

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• 1998 Château de Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Flawed

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes

  Group's #7 (my #7) – 35 pts; 0, 0, 0, 3 - slightly bricking dark red violet color; corked nose; tart, dried out and corked on palate

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