2016 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas Renaissance

Other Reviews....
I tasted from several foudres earmarked for the 2016 Cornas Renaissance. All showed good ripeness and richness allied to ample fruit and balanced tannins.
91-94 points
Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate #234 (Dec 2017)

Shown as four single-vineyard components: #1) Patou: high-pitched black raspberry, cherry and violet scents, backed by a smoky nuance. Juicy and lithe in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors and a sweetening hint of cola. Tightens up on the finish, which is framed by supple, even tannins. #2) Tezier: suave, expressive aromas of ripe blue fruits, potpourri and smoky Indian spices. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering sweet blueberry, licorice and candied violet flavors and a touch of spicecake. #3) young vines in Reynard: Gorgeous, sharply focused floral and dark berry scents that pick up a minerally aspect with air. Silky and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated cassis and boysenberry flavors that tighten up on the back half. Very long and focused; smooth tannins make a cameo appearance. #4) Petite Côte: deep-pitched dark fruit preserve, licorice, cracked pepper and espresso scents, joined by a slowly emerging hint of olive. Stains the palate with bitter cherry and cassis flavors that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Surprisingly lively for its heft, showing strong closing grip and resonating spiciness.
93-95 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Dark, spicy and stony aromas with a smoky and intense mineral edge, some garrigue herbs, blackberries and ripe plum fruits. A sense of deep-set tension in a succulent array of black-fruit flavors with a long driving thread of tannins. Barrel sample.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com

Starting with what could be considered the younger vine cuvée, the 2016 Cornas Renaissance boasts a saturated purple color as well as a heady, intense bouquet of black plums, cedarwood, iron, and incense. It’s a wild, exotic Cornas (and that’s Clape) that has full-bodied richness, a big mid-palate, and building tannins. It’s certainly more approachable than the grand vin, yet it needs a solid 4-5 years of bottle age to be drinkable.
94+ points
Jeb Dunnuck