Wine Advisor
Auguste Clape, Cornas 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Eclipsing even the 2009, the 2010 Cornas achieved one of the highest natural alcohol levels (14%) ever recorded at Clape. This complex, inky/purple-colored effort boasts abundant notes of charcoal, licorice, blackberries and blueberries intermixed with a hint of scorched earth (or is it charcoal embers?), a full-bodied mouthfeel, a seamless personality and a crushed rock-like minerality. The tannins are so sweet it will be drinkable in 2-3 years, and should keep for 25 or more. It is a tour de force in what Syrah can achieve in this hallowed appellation. Kudos to the Clape family, especially Pierre-Marie. An historic reference point in Cornas is the estate of the retired Auguste Clape, which has been run over the last decade by his talented son, Pierre-Marie. This estate may have produced their finest wines to date in 2009, but the 2011s and 2010s rival anything produced at this family-owned, tiny boutique producer. They offer two cuvees of Cornas with the Renaissance representing their younger vines (although most of those are between 30 and 50 years of age). The top cuvee, simply called Cornas, has been a favorite of mine since the late seventies. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
Reviewed by: Jeb Dunnuck
I can’t say the same thing about the 2010 Cornas, as it’s crazily backwards, concentrated and structured, and needs some bottle age to round into form. Nevertheless, the incredible quality is present in its purity, focus, full-bodied richness and awesome finish. Give it another 3-4 years and enjoy it over the following 15-20 years (if not more). Always a fun visit, this small vertical took place in Clape’s cellar in Cornas, with Pierre-Marie Clape, who’s now running the estate. We also tasted through multiple barrels of their 2012s and 2013s, but I’ll wait and include that commentary in the northern Rhone report due out in October. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Ratcheting things up to almost unreal levels of concentration and aromatic complexity is the 2010 Cornas. Its dense inky/purple color is followed by a stunning bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, creosote, charcoal, incense and a hint of flowers. This massive Syrah possesses undeniable minerality, remarkably sweet fruit, fabulous precision and focus, and 25-30 years of evolution. Give it 5-7 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 3 decades. (Not yet released) This historic reference point for the wines of Cornas is one of the world’s most enviable small estates. Long run by Auguste Clape, who has slowly moved into retirement, turning the reins over to his talented son, Pierre-Marie, the quality of the Clape wines has been brilliant since I began visiting the estate over 30 years ago. I believe the 2009 and 2010 Cornas are the finest wines they have yet produced ... and that’s saying something. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
A fantastic wine from an epic vintage, the 2010 Clape Cornas is still at least five years away from hitting its stride, and I suspect it will still be impressing lucky wine-lovers for at least a decade after that. A hugely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black/blue fruits, candied flowers, incense, olive paste and Moroccan spices, with only a hint of gaminess in the background. Deeply concentrated and energetic, there’s an uncanny balance of richness and energy to the sweet black currant, cherry preserve and fruitcake flavors. Fine-grained tannins make a late appearance but are quickly absorbed by the lush, creamy fruit. I’d be in no hurry to drink this, but with a bit of aeration it’s a stunner.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Inky purple. Heady, complex aromas of black raspberry, potpourri, smoky minerals and Indian spices. Displays a riot of black and blue fruit flavors that show uncanny energy for their depth and power. Picks up exotic allspice and star anise nuances with air, along with a touch of salty olive. Finishes on an emphatic mineral note, with remarkable focus, thrust and length.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Tasted in components: #1, Petite Cote: fresh red berries and flowers, with intense spiciness. Very bright and lively, with racy cherry and raspberry flavors and strong finishing cut. #2, from Sabarotte: inky purple. Pungent blackberry and bitter cherry qualities, with a smoky overtone. Then tight and linear on the finish. Very rich as well as quite vibrant. #3, from La Cote: an extremely ripe sample, with powerful dark fruit compote qualities and notes of licorice and cured meat. Full and broad, with serious mid-palate grip and chewy tannins that build through the finish. #4, from Reynard: explosively perfumed aromas of dark fruits and flowers. Spicy and pure, with deeply pitched blackberry and cassis flavors and a late note of candied violet. Gains weight with air and shows superb energy and power on the finish.
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.
