1991 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas
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Tasting notes
Tremendous milk-chocolate aroma, not much fruit left on the nose, and the palate is similarly leathery and savoury. Dry, but not austere – there are no excess tannins here, and the acid mops up the finish nicely. There is a lingering horse-stable aroma on the length. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Cornas lovers will adore Clape's outstanding 1991. More elegant and less concentrated than Noel Verset's (his friend and competitor), Clape's Cornas exhibits medium to full body, excellent depth, and a spicy, moderately tannic finish. Drinkable now, it should improve and last for 8-10 more years. Importers: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA, and a Christopher Cannan Selection, Europvin, Watertown, MA.
Good deep, youthful red-ruby color. Pungent, sauvage nose combines game, black pepper, black raspberry, black plum, leather, woodsmoke and fresh blood. Big, rich and full in the mouth, offers Cornas rusticity in all its glory. Fat and peppery. This seems richer but lower in acidity than earlier bottles I've tasted, and could use a bit more clarity of flavor. But very satisfying.