Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 2021
(Cornas, Northern Rhône, France) 750ml - [DM 96] [VM 92] [JD 92]
Regular price $250.00 Sale price $229.97 Save $20.03
Domaine Clape’s eight hectares of terraced vineyards lay scattered across the Rhone Valley and are rooted into the region’s signature granitic soils. Their Syrah-based wines are produced in a traditional and classic style, known for their full body, spicy fruit flavors, and powerful structure. Their Cornas shows flavors of red and black fruits, game, leather, purple flowers, and olives. A regional classic!
Clape’s masterpiece is his classic Cornas, precisely blended from five to six cuvées of the oldest vines in the best sites. The backbone comes from Reynard, La Côte and Sabarotte. The old vines here are la Petite Syrah—the old clone considered by many to be the true Syrah—which creates a stunningly deep and complex wine that will develop for decades.
Techinical Information
Varietal: 100% SyrahVine Age: 40-100 yrs
Soil Type: Granite
Vineyard Area: 4.3 ha
Viticulture & Vinification:
• A selection of the domaine’s oldest vines
• Aged 22 months in 6- to 12-HL foudres
• All wines are harvested by hand, sorted and are not de-stemmed
Ratings & Reviews
96 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A tasting of the constituent lieux-dits indicates that this will be a fresh, well-balanced style of Cornas. The acidity is high this year, and the tannins are classically Cornas in their granitic grain and intensity. A highly structured year, this will always be a vintage for dedicated Cornas-lovers, there's no great wealth of rich fruit behind like in some recent vintages, but nonetheless this should age well. Very much a classic year, rather than the powerfully ripe and rich vintages we've seen since 2017. Whole-bunch fermented in concrete, aged in old foudres." Drink 2032-2043. - Matt Walls (Sep 2022)
92 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2021 Cornas is a solid red that’s concentrated and elegant, offering crushed violet, red plum, red cherry and iodine layers paired with stemmy gradations. The medium-bodied 2021 concludes with wonderful freshness on the savory finish. It shouldn’t take long to come around, something that cannot be said for the surrounding vintages." - Nicolas Greinacher (Mar 2024)
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cornas is a small step up over the Renaissance, with a touch more density and depth, although both play in the more medium-bodied, moderately concentrated style of the vintage. Classy blue fruits, plums, violets, and sappy, peppery notes all define the aromatics, and it's nicely balanced, with fine tannins, and outstanding length. It too will benefit from a few years and drink nicely over the following decade." (Mar 2024)