2021 Domaine Auguste Clape Cotes du Rhone Syrah

Auguste Clape first came to Cornas in 1949 to marry his wife Henriette whose family owned 5 hectares of vineyards in the appellation. Today his son, Pierre-Marie and grandson Olivier Clape run the estate, which is considered to be the benchmark producer in the region. They farm 5.38 acres of Cornas including a resounding 3 hectares on the granitic soils of what is the finest plot in Cornas - Reynards. An “old-style” producer with no destemming, wild yeast ferments that take place in concrete vats and aging in older, neutral foudres for 20 months before bottling without filtration. If you seek a traditional Syrah from the sun-drenched, terraced slopes of the Northern Rhône, the stunning wines of Auguste Clape should be at the top of your list.

Domaine Clape Cotes du Rhone is sourced from two parcels of Syrah, one planted within Saint-Péray and classified as Cotes du Rhone, and a second at the bottom of a slope just beneath the boundary of Cornas, level with the village of Cornas. In some years a small amount of press wine from young-vine Cornas is added. Fermentation and elevage occurs in cement tanks with part of the wine passing briefly in foudre.

Other Reviews....
Saturated violet. An expressive bouquet evokes black and blue fruits and smoky bacon, along with suggestions of olive and pipe tobacco. Appealingly sweet, smoke- and spice-accented blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors show fine delineation and are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. A smoky mineral nuance builds with air and carries through a long, youthfully gripping finish that echoes the olive and spice notes.
92-93 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous

Plenty of forest berries, dark plums, currants, stones and baking spices on the nose. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Dark berries on the palate with structure and texture. Focused and rather ample and crisp for the appellation, with bright acidity and a succulent finish with excellent length. Best after 2024.
93 points
JamesSuckling.com

The 2021 Côtes Du Rhône brings more structure but has similar wild dark fruits, pepper, game, and iron notes in a medium-bodied package. It too is delicious.
90 points
Jeb Dunnuck