1999 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Cornas offers beautiful aromas of black cherries, licorice and cassis blossom on the nose. Hints of melted tar and lavender join the chorus line with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, smooth and refined, with a dash of garrigue and white pepper towards the simmering finish that has a surfeit of finesse. There is a sense of completeness that I adore on this Cornas, and it still has plenty in the tank.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
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)
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.
Deep crimson. A rather metallic note on the nose. Very stern indeed on the nose! Then some velvety ripe fruit character edges on to the palate quite slyly. Lots of furry tannin. Lots there but far from resolved. I think it will always be a bit stern but for lovers of the style this should provide very satisfying drinking – eventually. (JR)