1999 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas #163374169
Reviews 91 points Wine Advocate "The wine displays soft tannin, but good underlying acidity, terrific blackberry and cassis-like fruit, a saturated black/purple color, and aromas of roasted meats, jammy black fruits, hickory smoke, and licorice. Fine purity, sweet tannin, and well-integrated acidity and alcohol result in a seamless impact. (RP)" 95 points Vinous "Aging as slowly as the 2001, the 1999 Clape Cornas is a brooding, deeply concentrated wine that displays an array of dark fruit, floral scents and a distinctly weighty palate presence. Bitter cherry, black currant, espresso and licorice flavors are slow to unfold, and there’s still a slight firmness to the tannins. That structure doesn’t give me pause; this wine has fruit to spare and I’d be confident holding onto it for at least another 10 years. (JR)" 18 points Jancis Robinson "Such a smoky nose – lapsang souchong and dark red fruits with a note of rose petal and violets beneath. Juicy and supple mouthfeel with fine-grained tannins that pepper the palate – real verve and purpose here and a beautiful blend of savoury, smoke and fresh floral hints. Long and fine and in a good place at the moment. (AC)"
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About Domaine Auguste Clape
The estate's vineyards, spread across eight hectares, are situated on steep, hand-tended terraces with granite subsoil, optimal sun exposure, and exceptional parcels such as Reynards, La Côte, Geynale, Tézier, Petite Côte, Les Mazards, Patou, Pied La Vigne, Chaillot, and Sabarotte. The challenging terrain makes it impossible to use machinery, requiring all work to be done by hand, with the Clapes employing old-fashioned instinct and common sense in their viticultural practices.
Domaine August Clape's Syrah wines are known for their dark berry, black olive, dried herb, smoke, and violet flavors when young, evolving into complex and velvety masterpieces with age. The grapes are picked at optimal ripeness, reminiscent of Southern French wines. August Clape was a pioneer in Cornas, being the first to bottle his own wine in 1957.
The winemaking process involves whole-cluster fermentation of individually vinified parcels, followed by an élevage lasting 12 to 22 months in old, oval foudres. This technique adds depth to the wines' natural complexity. Capable of impressive longevity in the cellar, Clape's Cornas wines can also be appreciated while young and fresh to better understand their evolution.
With an annual production of 2,500 cases, Domaine August Clape practices Lutte Raisonnée farming, an approach that emphasizes sustainability and respect for the environment. For wine enthusiasts seeking a taste of traditional Syrah from the Northern Rhône's sculptured slopes, Clape's Cornas is the ideal starting point.