Domaine Auguste Clape | Old-School Champion

Domaine Auguste Clape, Cornas

Clape is the traditionalist, classic, foundational wine of Cornas.  Auguste Clape was a pioneer, the first in the village to bottle his own wine in 1957, and over time created "the reference point for the appellation." Today, the estate is managed by his grandson, Olivier Clape, with old-school methodology.  The family hand farms 8 hectares of steep, terraced vineyards, including prime parcels of Reynards, La Côte, Geynale, Tézier, Petite Côte, Les Mazards, Patou, Pied La Vigne, Chaillot, and lastly Sabarotte, purchased from Noël Verset.  The flagship Cornas comes from the oldest vines within the best parcels.

2022 Domaine A. Clape Cornas
• 98JS, 97JD, 93VN, 96WS, 96DC

"No Renaissance was produced in this vintage. Reminding me of the 2017, the 2022 Cornas reveals gorgeous red and black fruits, violets, bouquet garni, and gamey, iron-like nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has fine tannins, beautiful overall balance, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a gorgeous finish. This is well worth your time and money, and I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. Hide bottles for 5-7 years and enjoy over the following two decades." - Jeb Dunnuck

"Tasting this very powerful and concentrated Cornas is like listening to a piece of organ music when the bass kicks in. Very meaty. A wealth of blackberry aromas unfurls as it aerates in the glass. More than enough fruit and flesh to wrap around the imposing core of beautifully crafted tannins. The deep bass notes echo on and on in the compelling finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2027." - James Suckling

"The 2022 Cornas is both classic and rustic, with hints of ripe black fruits, earthy tones and leather on the nose. It's full-bodied, fleshy and expansive, showing elevated flavor concentration. Beefy and monolithic, the 2022 carries an introverted attitude, finishing with firm structure yet plenty of Clape personality. This needs time." - Nicolas Greinacher

"Dark, dense and brooding, this is packed with beautiful notes of violet and spices overlaying a thick core of steeped plum and açaí berry. Earthy and savory, with loamy soil and cigar box notes adding to the textural depth and complexity. Hints of camphor and barnyard give this an appealing, old-school feel. A blast of alpine herbs adds lift to the broad and lengthy finish. Best from 2027 through 2040." - Kristen Bieler

In stock:

2021 Domaine A. Clape Cotes-du-Rhone
• 93JS, 90JD, 92-93VN

"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." - Jeb Dunnuck

"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." - Josh Raynolds

2020 Domaine A. Clape Cotes-du-Rhone
• 93JS, 92JD, 94VN

"The 2020 Côtes Du Rhône is darker and richer, with more structure as well as medium to full-bodied richness, notes of pepper, violets, and game, ripe, present tannins, and a great finish. It unquestionably has classic Clape character and will keep for at least 7-8 years. Unfortunately, the price from this has skyrocketed over the coming decade, but it’s a terrific wine." - Jeb Dunnuck

"Dark magenta. Intense dark fruit and floral scents, along with hints of olive paste, smoked meat and exotic spices. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that are underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Rich and broad but energetic as well, showing bright clarity and a lingering floral nuance on the long, youthfully tannic finish." - Josh Raynolds

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