Wine Advisor
Auguste Clape, Cornas 1995
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Clape's 1995 Cornas is a candidate for the wine of the vintage, although the microproduction of Jean-Luc Colombo's 1995 Cuvee JLC is a worthy competitor. Clape's 1995 exhibits an opaque purple color, and a fabulously ripe, sweet nose of licorice, black plums, and cassis, followed by full-bodied, dense, concentrated, well-balanced flavors with nicely integrated acidity and tannin. Yields were 30-32 hectoliters per hectare (there is no secret to the high quality at this renowned estate). The 1995 should be a 20-year wine. Last tasted 6/96.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Auguste Clape and his son, Pierre-Marie, continue to be the reference points for Cornas. Their 1995 Cornas is a candidate for the wine of the vintage, although the micro-production of Jean-Luc Colombo's 1995 Cuvee JLC is a worthy competitor. Clape's 1995 exhibits an opaque purple color, and a fabulously ripe, sweet nose of licorice, black plums, and cassis, followed by full-bodied, dense, concentrated, well-balanced flavors with nicely integrated acidity and tannin. Yields were 30-32 hectoliters per hectare (there is no secret to the high quality at this renowned estate). The 1995 should be a 20 year wine. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524, and a Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin USA, Watertown, MA; tel. (617) 924-7620
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A candidate for the wine of the vintage, Clape's 1995 Cornas exhibits an opaque purple color, and a fabulously ripe, sweet nose of licorice, black plums, and cassis, followed by full-bodied, dense, concentrated, well-balanced flavors with nicely integrated acidity and tannin. This should be a 20-year wine. Importers: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524, and a Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin USA, Watertown, MA; tel. (617) 924-7620
About the Producer
Domaine Auguste Clape is located in the Rhone Valley region of France. The estate was founded by the Clape Family and is now run by Pierre-Marie Clape and Oliver Clape. Château Auguste Clapa now has 8 hectares of vineyards, all on terraces within the Colnas appellation. Due to the steep terrain of the vineyards, plantation management is carried out by hand. There are no formal rules for the vineyard, but rather the most traditional planting patterns, based on intuition, experience and common sense. The vineyard soil is mainly granite and clay, and the main grape varieties are Syrah and Marsanne, with an average vine age of 40 years. The grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected before being used in the production of the wines. The must for the Domaine Auguste Clape Saint-Peray Blanc is fermented in concrete tanks and, after fermentation, the wine is matured in stainless steel tanks for 8 months. The must for the red wines is fermented in large wooden vats and the length of fermentation is usually 12 days. Of these, the Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas and the Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas Renaissance are matured for 22 months in 600 litre or 1,200 litre vats. The Domaine Auguste Clape Cote du Rhone and the Domaine Auguste Clape Le Vin des Aims are matured for 6 months in concrete tanks and large wooden barrels respectively.
