Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas 2020
Domaine Auguste Clape
Clape is Cornas in its purest expression — 100% Syrah from old vines on steep granite slopes, made with minimal intervention by the family that put this appellation on the map. The 2020 vintage delivered warmth and generosity, but the wine's granitic spine keeps everything taut. Cellar-worthy, but already singing.
Nose
Concentrated blackcurrant and violet lead, with graphite-like minerality and a thread of smoked meat. Cedar and dark cherry surface with air.
Palate
Powerfully structured yet precise. Black fruit and cedar form the core, framed by fine-grained tannins that speak of granitic terroir. A mid-palate note of mint and woody spice adds complexity, while the fruit retains a ripe, focused intensity.
Finish
Very long and mineral-driven, with blackcurrant, violet, and a savory toasted quality persisting through the fade.
- Varietal
- Syrah
- Blend
- 100% Syrah
- Vineyards
- Various parcels across Cornas, including old vines on granite
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Grilled lamb shoulder with herbes de Provence
Auguste Clape began bottling Cornas under his own label in the 1950s when almost no one did, and three generations later his family remains the benchmark for this steep, sun-scorched Northern Rhône appellation.
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