DOMAINE AUGUSTE CLAPE CÔTES du RHÔNE 2021

In the world of wine, there are many good winegrowers. However, there are only a very select few who are truly great, and Auguste Clape will go down in history as one of the greats. A proud and uncompromising pioneer of fine winemaking in the Northern Rhône, his Syrahs from the cru of Cornas have earned their place among the most celebrated wines of France. The Clapes have been vignerons for many generations, but the infamous grower strikes of 1906 and 1907 forced Auguste's grandfather out of the Languedoc and into the Northern Rhône to start anew from practically nothing. The Clapes rebuilt their fortunes, terrace by terrace, along the steep, western slopes of the Rhône River. Without pretense or fanfare, Auguste, the former mayor of Cornas, was a stately picture of grace and magnanimity—a no-nonsense wise man who never rested on his laurels and sought to better himself and his wines each year until his passing in 2018 at the age of 93. Today, his son, Pierre-Marie, and grandson, Olivier, carry on his legacy with honour and integrity.

Made from two parcels: one is Syrah planted within Saint-Péray AOC, which is classified as Côtes du Rhône; the second is at the bottom of a slope just beneath the boundary of Cornas AOC, level with the village of Cornas. In some years, a small amount (around 2%) of press wine from young-vine Cornas is added. Fermented and aged in cement tanks with part of the wine passing briefly in foudres.

Alistair Cooper MW, JancisRobinson.com (2021 Vintage)
"Intense blackberry nose – cassis and roasted meats. Certainly not lacking in structure. The tannins are tight and there is a lifted balsamic note through the wine. Intense and impressive."

91/100 Josh Raynolds, Vinous (2021 Vintage)
"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 flavours 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."

90/100 Decanter UK (2021 Vintage)
"The firm acidity and tannins are a touch rough-and-ready here. A little leaner than in recent years, but still with that classic Clape structure, if not terribly long on the finish."

Reviews for the previous vintage below…

92/100 Jeb Dunnuck (2020 Vintage)
"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."

92/100 James Suckling (2020 Vintage)
"Quite some wet-earth character and a touch of graphite on the nose (from slight reduction), but also brimming with ripe blackberry fruit. The healthy tannins give this some drive and keep the finish very straight. From syrah vines growing between the Cornas and St.-Peray appellations."